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Keywords: Democracy

  • INTERNATIONAL

    Betting on lost causes

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 23 October 2024
    3 Comments

    In the spirit of Spring Racing, the United Nations promotes its own high-stakes race: World Disarmament Week and United Nations Day. Despite heavy odds and the relentless rise of nuclear threats, these efforts remain crucial for global peace. Can the underdog of diplomacy prevail in the face of overwhelming opposition?

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Want better arguments? Make it personal

    • Max Jeganathan
    • 17 October 2024
    2 Comments

    Personalisation isn’t some idealistic attempt at bothsideism, but a pathway to restoring a measure of humanity to our public discourse. In a free society, what matters is not the disagreement itself but the way we treat those with whom we disagree.

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  • MEDIA

    On lying

    • Michele Frankeni
    • 15 October 2024

    Two years ago to the month, I wrote in this column of my despair and disgust of the impunity with which society leaders and politicians didn’t just shade the truth, but buried it six-feet deep and then gleefully stomped on it. In the past week, a couple of things reminded me of that piece and about the role truth plays in our public discourse. It reminded me how fragile our grasp on reality has become, and why that matters.   

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  • INTERNATIONAL

    Songs of Cretan liars and the rambling voice of truth

    • Peter Craven
    • 09 October 2024

    With moments of shared perspective and common ground, the weird thing about the CBS debate the debate between the two putative vice-presidents, J.D. Vance and Tim Walz, was how civil and considerate it was and (in its way) how impressive.  

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Would you bet against inequality?

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 03 October 2024
    1 Comment

    In Andrew Leigh's new book, he argues that inequality matters because it threatens the sense of fairness that is central to our well-being, because inequality prevents the less well off from moving to relative affluence, weakens democracy, and erodes understanding of and commitment to the common good. 

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  • AUSTRALIA

    A second try at combatting disinformation

    • Frank Brennan
    • 25 September 2024
    3 Comments

    The Government is making another valiant effort to rein in the adverse effects of ungoverned digital platforms. But in debating such a detailed bill without the backstop of a constitutional or statutory bill of rights recognising the right to freedom of expression, there are no clear guard rails for getting the balance right. 

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  • AUSTRALIA

    The dangers of a captured democracy

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 12 September 2024
    3 Comments

    Anxieties about democracy around the world today are well-founded. While we rightly celebrate our democratic institutions, it's crucial to acknowledge the vast wealth disparities and the growing influence of powerful corporations. 

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  • RELIGION

    Francis’ Church may be more transparent and accountable, but don’t call it democratic

    • Bill Uren
    • 04 September 2024
    6 Comments

    The Synod on Synodality begins its second session in October. And while the synodal process may involve consultation, Pope Francis is keen to remind those hoping for reform that teaching authority remains with the Pope and bishops. As the Pope has insisted on a number of occasions, the Church is not a democracy, and the synod is not a parliament.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    In search of lost liberalism

    • Russell Blackford
    • 09 August 2024
    2 Comments

    Once the backbone of Western democracy, the philosophy championing free speech, tolerance, and civil political discourse is often reviled by those on both the Left and Right. In our desire for justice and meaning, is there a need to rediscover the principles that have long fostered human flourishing? 

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  • MEDIA

    Where the media vultures gather

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 25 July 2024
    1 Comment

    Recent media pressure led to two high profile resignations. Joe Biden, after resisting pressure to do so, has abandoned his re-election bid and English professional football manager Gareth Southgate resigned. The part played by the media merits reflection on the human vulnerability of persons in public life and of those involved in reporting on it. 

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  • INTERNATIONAL

    Donald Trump: 'I had God on my side'

    • Warwick McFadyen
    • 24 July 2024
    2 Comments

    Following the assassination attempt, Donald Trump evidently sees his survival as a sign from God, in whom he very likely does not believe, that he is certain to achieve victory this November. It seems Trump’s religious road veers towards whichever destination offers him the greatest prize.

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  • INTERNATIONAL

    On reading electoral entrails

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 18 July 2024
    2 Comments

    In the wake of recent elections in Britain and France, global democracies are seeing voters reject established parties amidst a deepening cycle of disillusionment. But can a return to honesty and integrity in politics break this downward spiral? 

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