Mackenzie Elvin Public Lecture
New Zealanders like to think their democratic system is one of the least corrupt in the world. But the system has a massive blind spot when it comes to political finance and inequality. Wealth has become increasingly concentrated in New Zealand since the 1980s – yet there are no meaningful curbs on political donations, allowing major imbalances in access to politicians and influence over decisions. Meanwhile there are growing concerns about foreign interference in New Zealand elections.
In this public lecture hosted and brought to Tauranga by Mackenzie Elvin Law, Auckland University’s Timothy Kuhner and Victoria University’s Max Rashbrooke will discuss their research into economic inequality and its threat to both democracy and the wider functioning of our society. This election-week lecture is set amidst multiple SFO investigations into political financing in New Zealand, affecting both major parties and New Zealand First. Meanwhile the continuing revelations by Professor Anne-Marie Brady of Canterbury University and others have raised concerns about the influence of the Communist Party of China and other foreign actors on our democratic system.
Tim’s work explores the nexus between rising inequality and political corruption. “When it comes to combating the undue influence of concentrated wealth over law and policy,” he says, “New Zealand’s electoral and parliamentary framework does not reflect a love of fairness. It reflects, rather, a love of inequality. And the laws and policies produced within this framework are likely to prioritise the private interest over the public good.” He adds: “I have reason to believe that New Zealand’s reputation for being corruption-free and its sense of wellbeing don’t fully align with reality.”
Max has written extensively about inequality and the need for democratic renewal in New Zealand. His recent Guardian article, ‘New Zealand’s Astounding Wealth Gap Challenges our “Fair Go” Identity’, attracted widespread media attention while showing that the wealthiest 10% of the country has 60% of all assets. “Such findings are challenging to New Zealand’s self-identity,” he writes. “The country’s egalitarian image was once memorably described by the historian Melanie Nolan as ‘a rich amalgam of truth and myth’. These new wealth figures suggest that the latter increasingly predominates.” Max is also the editor of the key work Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis.
Together, Tim and Max will explain the issues and offer ideas for renewing our democracy and making the “good society” that we claim as our “Kiwi way” more reality than myth.
Copies of books by Tim and Max will be available for purchase after the lecture cincluding Tim’s just released book:
Tyranny of Greed: Trump, Corruption and the Revolution to Come
published by Stanford University Press
Date: Tuesday 13th October, 2020
Time: 5:30pm to 7:00pm (Lecture will start at 5:30pm with time for questions to 7:00pm)
Venue: Wharekauhau Lecture Theatre, Level 2, University of Waikato, Tauranga Campus, Durham Street, Tauranga
Presenters: Dr Timothy Kuhner – Associate Professor of Law, Auckland University and Max Rashbrooke – 2020 J. D. Stout Fellow, Victoria University
Admission: Free
For more information and to Register:
Go to www.businessaxis.nz/mackenzieelvinpubliclecture
