Think Again

We discussed the undesirability and impossibility of continual economic growth in a previous program. In this program we explore the 'degrowth' movement as a more hopeful alternative. Ref:Meadows, D., Randers, J., Behrens III, W.W. (1972) The limits to growth. Creative Commons attribution non commercial license. Web search for:Local Futures NetworkNew Economy Network Australia (NENA)Michael Bauwen...

In this program Kate Wheller, mother to two children with a disability, speaks about her experience of the NDIS.

In recent times the Morrison Government's credentials for managing the economy  have come into question with the slowing of its growth. This program looks at how we measure economic growth and what it means. Is continual economic growth even possible or desirable? And who and what are the winners and losers of all that presumed growth...?Refs:Raworth, K. Doughnut economics: Seven ways to think lik...

Are programs to improve resilience in children the best way to go? Perhaps we need to look at what is reducing resilience in the first place. This program refers back to the first program on relationality, making the argument that our individual and collective wellbeing relies on the health of the living network of relationships that we live and breathe within. Many of our mental health problems c...

This episode explores the usefulness of Royal Commissions. What are they? Why are we having so many? Are they effective or are there better and more economical ways of spending our common wealth for the better?

This program explores and compares the organisation of some cooperatives in Australia and in Argentina. Some of the challenges and success are explored in the context of different social, cultural, economic and governance contexts. The program finsihses with ideas and resources for people interested in more cooperative approaches to organising ourselves and living together. Ref:Borrell, J. and Bou...

For this program Jennifer continues her interview with Jacques about a book chapter he has written on populism, social media and community development. Ref:Boulet, J (2021a) “Social-media-weaponised Populism and Community Development” in Kenny, S, Ife, J & Westoby, P (eds.) Populism, Democracy and Community Development Bristol: Policy Press pp. 89 - 108

We've heard a lot about populist movements sweeping across the world, amidst the disenchantment of the marginalised. Todays populist movements seem to be turbo charged by social media which has co-opted the most initmate areas of our lives. For this program Jennifer interviews Jacques about a book chapter he has recently written, which includes some suggestions for a countering community developme...

The scams and frauds of the banking industry, exposed by the Royal Commission, have been enabled by loose or (pretty much) self-regulation. Meanwhile the federal government wants to tighten the screws on unions. The differential treatment of banks and unions is pretty stark, with successive governments clearly aligning themsleves with the interests of those holding wealth and power. Ref: Ziffer, D...

Tax breaks for the wealthy, and squeezing those on the lowest incomes and struggling to survive on poverty-level Centrelink payments... how brazenly our politicians increase the divide between the haves and have-nots. Ref:Stiglitz, J.E. (2019) People, power and profits: Progressive capitalism for an age of discontent. UK: Allen Lane.

How has it come to pass that corporations, enabled by digital technology, can now spy on us in the most initmate areas of our lives, and use or sell this information for commercial profit? How can this happen without our real knowledge or consent? This program poses and discusses these questions and presents a challenge to the current status quo. Refs:Richmond, B. (2019) A day in the life of data....

Managerialism refers to the spread and legitimacy of a certain approach to management that has taken over all aspects of our lives without any real critique. Disguised as something technical, it is really an ideology and a practice of power, in which the whole world is treated as a type of factory. Refs:Culbert, S.A. (2010) Get rid of the performance review. How companies can stop intimidating, st...

We talk a lot about the economy, but do we really know what an 'economy' is? How is its' success calaculated? Who or what is it for? Has it got anything to do with the wellbeing of people and the planet? This program answers these questions and poses a few challenges. Ref: Raworth, K. Doughnut economics: Seven ways to think like a 21st century economist.  London: Cornerstone. Social and Solidarity...

For this episode we had a bit of fun while inviting donations to keep 3CR going. We discussed how certain words and phrases can be used by those in power to consolidate and extend their power, and to legitimise the harms inflicted on people in the name of efficiency and profit-for-the-few. Ref: Watson, D. (2004) Weasel words. Sydney: Knopf. 

What does it mean to be a human being? Are we isolated individuals interacting or 'transacting' with other individuals - or are we more interconnected than that? Refs:Gergen, K.J. (2009) Relational being. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Spretnak, C. (2011) Relational reality. Topsham: Oxford University Press.