COMMENT
Earlier this century the incumbent Prime Minister of New Zealand opined that the country existed in an "incredibly benign strategic environment". That might have been true once but how things change and keep changing. It would be easy but unnecessary to include a long list of changes, so let's not.
I will though refer back to what I believe was the first development that has plagued the country, and the rest of the world, faster than anyone expected, including me. It would be tedious if not so important. I have regaled anyone who'd listen since the mid-80s with the dangers of political correctness. What was I told? "Never happen here."
Now it has spawned numerous offspring that have transitioned society into a state of absurdity. PC provides umbrella protection for any sort of nuttiness and it's being exploited by plenty who should know better. Sadly, rather than stand on principle, many adopt the old fail, "If you can't beat them, join them."
This week I came across a commentary on a new book. Well, it's not new but that was the claim: "In his edgy and thought-provoking new book." Except, I've had a copy of it since 2016. It ain't new but maybe it's his attempt to sound "edgy". Not that the published date is the point. Eric Kaufmann is writing about The Demon in Democracy, by Polish professor Ryszard Legutko, a book I've previously mentioned. It's the content that matters. "Political correctness is the tyrannical demon in democracy. A majority of people in the US, Canada and the UK say pc is a problem." And no wonder. "Today, mainstream politicians, parties, think tanks and bureaucrats tie themselves in knots to avoid sound bites that could be portrayed as racist, sexist or homophobic." According to Legutko, the terms "reactionary" and "progressive" were staples of communist doctrine.