Think Again

Jennifer Borrell & Jacques Boulet
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Think Again offers weekly conversations and reflections about current events, trends and public pronouncements on contemporary and emerging issues. The show moves beyond what we read and hear via the public and ‘social’ media, to invite alternative possibilities to guide our thinking, living and organising.

  1. 2d ago

    Creating democracy from the bottom up for a better and sustainable world

    Kevin Brennan shares his knowledge and experience in democratic community governance, including the forms this might take and what is required to make it happen.He draws on real-life examples from his involvement in Moonee Valley Sustainability References Moonee Valley Sustainability website: https://mvsustainability.org.au/Lyn Carson & Stephen Elstub 2019, Comparing participative and deliberative democracy, New Democracy Foundation, Newcastle: https://www.newdemocracy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/RD-Note-Comparing-Participatory-and-Deliberative-Democracy.pdfMark & Paul Engler 2016, This is an uprising, Nation Books, New York.Jon Hawkes 2001, The Fourth Pillar: Culture’s essential role in public planning, Cultural Development Network, Melbourne: https://culturaldevelopment.net.au/about/publications/publications-research/fourtBill Moyer, Doing Democracyh-pillar/Bill Moyer 2001, Doing democracy – The Map Model for organising social movements, New Society, Gabriola Island BC.Thomas E. F. & Louis W. R. 2013, ‘Doing democracy: The social psychological mobilisation and consequences of collective action’, Social Issues and Policy Review, 7(1), 173–200. (Murdoch University)

  2. Oct 15

    The urgent need for true democracy of and by the people

    The presenters return to the theme of democracy and the rather undemocratic political system we live in.They argue that restoring democracy 'of the people for the people' is more urgent than ever, especially given the 'overlord' threat of Artificial Intelligence.In our current political system, mainstream parties have very small memberships and largely operate on centralised command-and-control principles. Their dominance has been challenged to some extent by the rise of the independents. Also, what was considered a right-wing, racist fringe party, One Nation, is apparently surging in popularity.The presenters explore community-based, deliberative democracy ways of doing things.ReferencesDuran G 2026, The nerd reich: Silicon Valley fascism and the war on democracy, UK, Simon & Schuster.Gauja A 2015, ‘The individualisation of party politics: The impact of changing internal decision-making processes on policy development and citizen engagement’, The British Journal of Politics and International Relations, Vol. 17(1).Hendriks C M & Dzur A W 2022, ‘Citizens’ governance spaces: Democratic action through disruptive collective problem-solving’, Political Studies 2022, Vol. 70(3).Hendriks C M & Reid R 2024, ‘Citizen-led democratic change: How Australia’s community independents movement Is reshaping representative democracy’, Political Studies 2024, Vol. 72(4).Successful examples of decisions affecting roads being made by Citizens Juries: https://participedia.net/case/4528

  3. Oct 8

    Solving the Australian housing crisis is complex but feasible: A conversation with Matt Lloyd-Cape

    The housing crisis in Australia is made to feel like a confusing, multi-facetted and complex monster. Daily we witness public opinion battles between groups and interests set to lose or win, with different factors presented as the real cause or solution of the housing problem ... And the piecemeal and rather one-dimensional approach taken (house ownership) clearly is not leading us anywhere much... apart from growing unaffordability... Matt Lloyd-Cape has just published a book on this topic: 'Our place: How to solve the housing crisis and rebuild the Australian dream' which offers some plausible solution/s. Matt joins Jacques (for the third time) on Think Again to talk us through the housing crisis and some feasible ways out of it.Matt is a principal fellow at the Centre for Equitable Housing associated with think tank Per Capita and a prominent commentator and advisor on housing policy.

  4. Oct 2

    Why aren't we regulating AI properly? The role of corporate power and negligent government

    Artificial Intelligence is back in the news with a vengeance, as OpenAI broke into a Medicare statistics website, and tech bosses called for a slow down in AI development until we can be assured it is safe. Meanwhile there is widespread community opposition to data centres to power AI.Jacques and Jennifer talk about two key factors stopping AI being regulated properly: (i) our society being run for corporate profit, and (ii) politically-motivated, weak government. They turn to PM Andy Burnham in the UK, for inspiration as to what courageous and principled leadership might look and sound like. ReferencesRichard Flanagan 2026, 'Albanese is selling out Australia to AI colonists', The Age, 18 September, p.24.Ian Dunt Substack 2026, 'Burnham speech: An astonishing moment of radicalism and commitment', 29 September.Nick Bryant Substack 2026, 'The perfect apocalypse: Rapid advancements in AI come at a terrible time', 14 September.Karen Barlow 2026, 'Exclusive: The former staffers influencing government on AI', The Saturday Paper, No. 620, 3 October (NB: Published the day after the progam went to air).

  5. Sep 25

    Reflections on Zionism, Christian Zionism, and the self-serving delusions of people in Israel

    Veronica Sherman talks about Zionism, Christian Zionism, and the ideological bubble that people in Israel live in.This ideology includes their elite status as ostensibly chosen by god, and the dehumanisation of the Palestine people. It also includes an adopted victim status, in denial of the considerable power that the state of Israel wields.Veronica talks from her own experiece as a Swedish-Israeli writer and pro-Palestine activist, who has Jewish heritage and was raised in a Christian Zionist household before spending time in the Israeli Air Force, and finally settling in Australia.Take actionSupport the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions)FREE PALESTINE RALLY 'Global day for Gaza' Sunday, 11 October, 12pm State Library, MelbourneSupport the Red lines packageOther actions: Free Palestine MelbourneAustralia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN)Reference: Documentary: Human Animals

  6. Sep 18

    Is fascist politics on the rise world-wide? unpicking Germany's lurch to the (far?) right

    Parts of Australia's mainstream media have been replete with ominous bits of news about recent election victories of the far-right neo-Nazi party in Germany, the AfD – or (The) Alternative for Germany. The party reached over 43% of the vote in the state of Saxony Anhalt formerly part of East Germany and another state there has also seen the AfD become the strongest party. Like in Australia and elsewhere, the 'traditional' parties are dramatically losing support and soon far-right parties are expected to - at least - become part of governing coalitions.  The program attempts to explain what's going on, looking at history and present political and economic/social context and at what we can learn from these for our own situation. Reference Waleed Aly Time of Monsters: What future fir Liberalism? Quarterly Essay 103

  7. Sep 11

    Why AUKUS is the stupidest policy that Australia has ever enacted, and what we can do

    Dr Albert Palazzo from UNSW-Canberra explains why the AUKUS deal that Australia has with the US is not in Australia's interests. In other words,'the US was smart to do it and we were dumb to do it'.AUKUS allows US military bases on our soil to contain China and underpin US dominance. This makes Australia a military target and puts us in danger. Meanwhile Australia loses its autonomy and sovreignty, with the country's enmeshment and subservience to US military strategy and operations. In addition, AUKUS is likely to bring nuclear devices to our shores, in violation of the Treaty of Rarotonga which we have signed.We receive nothing of consequence in return, except non-binding promises of submarines that would not be effective anyway in defending against military attacks that AUKUS has attracted.Albert Palazzo says we need to change our culture of looking to the US to defend us. The technology we need already exists, and we also need to invest more in diplomacy and peace.Take actionMake a submission to the AUKUS Public Inquiry:https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/#make-a-submission Read moreAlbert Palazzo 2025, The big fix: Rebuilding Australia's national security, Melbourne University Press Albert Palazzo 2026, 'How AUKUS could destroy Australia', The Saturday Paper, No.615, 29 August 2026.

  8. Sep 4

    Stopping Australian support for illegal settlements, war crimes or genocide: four 'Red Lines' bills

    This program is about the Four Red Lines campaign, calling on Federal Parliament to review and pass a package of 4 Bills. If enacted, the 4 Bills will ensure that Australia doesn't fund, arm or invest in illegal settlements, war crimes, or genocide anywhere in the world.Jacques and solicitor Rita Jabri  Markwell discuss the broad-based campaign and the details of each proposed piece of legislation.Link:Learn about and support the redlines campaign: www.redlinespackage.com.au   RED LINES PACKAGE

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About

Think Again offers weekly conversations and reflections about current events, trends and public pronouncements on contemporary and emerging issues. The show moves beyond what we read and hear via the public and ‘social’ media, to invite alternative possibilities to guide our thinking, living and organising.

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer Borrell & Jacques Boulet
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    355
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Think Again