There are two clear turning point in NZ’s political history with respect to the Keynesian and neoliberal policy regimes. What election dates are they? which party won these elections?
1935 and 1984
Labour won both
Briefly list 4 key features of Keynesian policy regime
- Progressive taxation - higher income earners get taked more
- Full employment - This is a major priority for the government
- A strong welfare state
- High union membership - Legislation which prohibits free riding on the benefits of a union membership if you weren’t a member
What was the central idea underpinning the Keynesian policy regime?
Markets are not self regulating. Government should actively manage the economy
How many people were unemployed in 1950?
12
What is the key idea underpinning the neoliberal policy regime?
Markets are self regulating.
4 key features of neoliberal policy regime implemented from 1984 to 1999
- Manage inflation through tight monetary policy
- Free up markets
- Redesign the welfare state
- Restructure taxes - reduce the progressiveness of the taxation system
Two points for and two points against the neoliberal policy regime
For
1. Economic efficiency - markets produce the most efficient outcomes. Reduce regulations.
2. Lower inflation - tight monetary policy maintains price stability
Against
1. Rising inequality - Unemployment increases and social gaps rise
2. Loss of public assets - SOE were sold
Define the third way of the Fifth Labour Government by reference to the First Way and the Second Way
First way = Keynesianism by Labour
Second way = Neoliberalism
Third way = Middle ground. Use neoliberal features like open markets but incorporate a well being approach
Briefly outline two points for and two points against the Third Way Social Democracy of the Fifth Labour Government
For
1. Balanced approach between neoliberalism with more investment in welfare
2. Improved peoples well being (E.g Maori and pacifica more skills and opportunities)
Against
1. Maintained inequality - Core neoliberal reform were still in place so wealth gaps continued
2. Limited state role - Government intervention was targeted rather than universal so not everyone benefited.
List the four governments that were in power from 1984 to 1990, 1990 to 1999, 1999 to 2008, 2008 to 2017?
- Labour
- National
- Labour
- National
According to liberal pluralists what are two of the main areas in which citizens can exert influence over the government?
- The electoral system. They can vote. They can vote for their local government who talks to the central government
- Media - The media can take peoples opinions to the government
The critics of liberal pluralism argue that business can exert disproportionate influence on government policy-making. Briefly state two points they make
- Money talks. People with economic power have political power. in capitalist societies there is high levels of socio inequality which leads to political inequality.
- Political bias - government is more likely to implement policies that benefit big businesses rather than small groups or businesses
Capitalism generates high levels of socio-economic inequality. According to Marxists, this generation of socio-inequality centrally involves a process of ________
Exploitation
According to Marxists, what are two key sources of working class power?
- Labor - The role workers play within the economy
- Trade unions - The membership of NZ’s trade unions today is much larger than the 2 most important business lobbying groups
What are three major forms of democracy to have emerged thus far in history?
- Direct Democracy
- Representative democracy
- Liberal democracy
Describe one respect in which the shift from FPP to MMP has improved the representativeness of parliament and one respect in which the representativeness of parliament has not improved?
Improved - It has helped improved gender and ethnicity representativeness
Not improved - Occupational background has not changed much
What impact has the shift from Keynesianism to neoliberalism in tertiary education policy making had on: a) student allowances; b) tuition fees; c) student debt?
a. Eligibility has gotten much tighter. Student allowance amounts has reduced
b. Tuition fees have increased
c. Student debt has increased.
When was the Labour Party established and what social movement did it emerge out of?
1916
Trade Union Movement
Two key themes of Labour Party ideology
- Social justice and equality
- Workers rights
Since it was founded in 1936, the National Party has been consistently supported by members of two powerful social classes. Who are these classes?
- Farmers
- Wealthy business people
What are two key themes of National Party ideology
- Economic liberalism - Free up markets and limit state intervention
- Allow individuals the opportunity to be successful and earn money for their family
Briefly outline two major policies of the Green Party
- Environmental sustainability - Net carbon 0 emissions by 2050
- Social justice - Increase the minimum wage
For several decades, New Zealand has maintained an independent foreign policy and a ‘hedging strategy’ between China, on one side, and the US, Australia, and UK, on the other.
Briefly outline one reason why New Zealand governments have maintained this approach, and one factor that is making it increasingly difficult for them to do so.
Maintained = Economic interests. These countries we export and imports out goods to
Difficulty = Tension between the countries. China is having tension with Western countries which puts NZ in an awkward spot
Climate change is an example of injustice between generations. Outline why.
The current actions of generations such as increasing greenhouse gas emissions has a disproportionate effect on future generations who suffer from the environmental harm
