cam, 75 words, 0 comments, Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Policy, Liberalism, Republicanism, Democracy, Policy

Mead argues that the democratic nature of American foreign policy has been superior to the isolated genius' behind continentalist policy (ie Bismarck or Kissinger). Mead writes:

The [democratic policy making] system is stable because it is homeostatic; although interest groups perceive themselves in a constant struggle, the net effect of all those struggles is to keep society constantly seeking the point at which dissatisfaction is minimised.

A very succinct description of the liberal republican process. (reply)

cam, 325 words, 0 comments, Policy, Media, Journalism, Horse Race Politics

An interesting study from the US which suggests that American voter interests match Australian voters in wanting policy discussed. The Trends in Australian Political Opinion discovered that 49% of Australian voters use policy to guide who they cast their ballot for.

Ars Technica in discussing how media commentary of politics is the same as sports coverage linked to an article on the Project for Journalistic Excellence which discussed how media coverage was at odds with what people want covered. A Pew Research poll shows that 77% of Americans wanted more coverage of the candidates positions on issues. (more)

cam, 296 words, 2 comments, Inflation, Policy, Strategy

I must admit to being a little bit surprised to see the strong trend downward on this graph. It suggests that there has been a consistent strategy to lower and stabilise inflation over the last forty years. Judging by the trend it has been a very successful one.

I can recall a historian saying, "it doesn't matter who the leader is as long as the strategy is correct." (more)

cam, 304 words, 0 comments, Strategy, Tactics, Policy

One of the hallmarks of the Iraq adventure has been the lack of a coherent strategy and an almost wishing that events in Iraq would fit the pre-war template of liberators etc. Policy informs strategy which informs tactics. The lack of strategy has contributed to the conditions in Iraq. (more)

cam, 798 words, 2 comments, Policy, Culture, Copyright, Intellectual Property, Gary Sauer-Thompson

The Howard Government has decided that capitalism and globalism erode culture. As a consequence they have decided that establishing culture is the role of government. Sadly their view of what constitutes Australian culture is myopic, and backward looking. It is non-adaptive, and overly nationalistic - an attempt to keep the government and nation-state relevant. Government can encourage culture through reducing the artificial barriers to interaction, innovation and cultural memory. (more)