this post was submitted on 22 Jan 2025
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[–] [email protected] 64 points 2 days ago (2 children)

It’s nowhere near as bad here in NZ

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Oh absolutely not. It's a much smaller population and being an island it's got a figurative and literal buffer to the rest of the world.

I have always loved New Zealand. It's like the cooler uncle of Australia minus all the spiders the size of my head.

And it's just a beautiful place. Makes me wanna go frolicking in the mountains with an elf, dwarf and old white guy lol

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Just because an island has a smaller population doesn't make it any more or less predisposed to egalitarianism, nor do large populations have to be predisposed to authoritarianism.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

....I never said either of those things?

[–] [email protected] -3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"It’s a much smaller population" literally your second sentence, or do you not comprehend your own writing? Why is their smaller population relevant?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I should have been more clear. I never said the words "egalitarianism" or "authoritarianism".

That would be those "either" of the things I was referring to me having not said.

Smaller population simply means each person's vote counts for more. Easier for small groups to have an effect when they only need to reach a smaller number of potential voters.

EDIT: spelling

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Smaller population simply means each person’s vote counts for more.

What about the smaller tribes who live under strict patriarchies that can't vote? Plenty examples of those in history and today (cults for instance). There are also examples of massive cities with egalitarian urban planning with no centralized temples or food storage. So again I ask, what makes you think population size has anything to do with their politics?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Dude who are you arguing with? I never said anything about those incredibly specific situations you're talking about.

I already gave two things that a smaller population size might effect when it comes to elections. I am sure there are many other things that having a smaller population affects that I haven't even considered.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 day ago

I'm just wondering why you speak with such casual conclusiveness that smaller population size is even worth mentioning, when all evidence says that population size has little to nothing to do with political trends that lead to authoritarian fascism (being that the subject is NZ not being as right wing as USA). I'm trying to argue the fact that there's zero anthropological data suggesting that population sizes, even climate environments, have any correlation with certain cultures leaning more in a certain direction. You however seem to think it's worth bringing up, or that there are "many other things that having a smaller population affects" I just want to know where you get that idea from, again, when all evidence points to the contrary.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The world’s billionaires are heading back to NZ

BusinessDesk talked to real-estate agent Caleb Paterson, who works with a number of offshore agents and high net-worth individuals mainly out of the US and UK markets. He said interest had “definitely perked up” since National said it would repeal its ban on foreign buyers.

Foreign buyers, with the exception of Singaporean and Australian citizens, have been barred from owning NZ properties since 2018.

Assuming it makes up the next government, National’s plan would open the door to all foreign buyers to purchase NZ homes valued at more than $2 million, with a 15 per cent foreign buyer stamp surcharge clipped on, from the 2025 fiscal year.

Enjoy paradise while it lasts.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

These billionaires aren't going to pillage NZ.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You might have misunderstood me.

Billionaires aren't going to NZ to sell subscriptions or strip mine the wilderness. They've already done that elsewhere.

They're going to NZ to live out the coming apocalypse in a mansion with servants.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 hours ago

Billionaires aren’t going to NZ to sell subscriptions or strip mine the wilderness.

They're going to demolish nature preserves to build mega-mansions and juice up the police force to press gang local indigenous people.

Just like they've done everywhere else.