“.. So let me now exhaust myself (but hopefully not you) by inquiring into aspects of our collective life as New Zealanders.
It is possible that at present, we are trapped in habits of mind that limit our potential as a small, intimate society -
- inhabiting some of the most beautiful and productive landscapes and seascapes in the world.
Like Sir Paul, I am concerned about the current quality of our relations with each other – and fear that these have gone awry.
As he remarked, ‘I happen not to believe in the trickle-down theory.
I fear we are in the process of creating a stratified society.’
Here, he was prescient.
Over the past four years, according to a recent report, the median weekly income for European families increased to $580 -
- while that for Maori families fell to $460 -
- and for Pacific families to $390.
Not just a stratified society – but one ranked by ethnic background.
As I have argued recently, in Europe this kind of hierarchy goes back at least as far as the mediaeval idea of the Great Chain of Being.
Here, the cosmos was ranked, with God at the top followed by archangels and angels, a Divine monarch and the ranks of the aristocracy and commoners.
Men were placed over women and children – and civilised people over ‘barbarians’ and ‘savages’.
In this timeless, tiered world, it seemed only right and proper that ruling elites should profit from ordinary people -
- and that ‘civilised people’ should rule over ‘barbarians’ and ‘savages.’
Since people were placed over plants and animals – and the earth itself – it also seemed natural that people should exploit these other forms of life -
- even to the point of destruction.
Somehow, it was supposed that such exploitation was for the common good –
- a ‘trickle down’ theory on a cosmic scale..”
(cont..)
(ed:..seriously..!..i give this piece the highest consideration..if you link to nothing else today etc..)
go to source/story>>>
Dame Anne Salmond: Shifting New Zealand’s mindset – Politics – NZ Herald News.
