John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Agree, but like Canada, perhaps to a slightly less extent, it is the electorate that is the problem IMHO, especially in the absence of a significant number of pollies expressing concerns about defence eroding policy.
Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
- Thread starter Padman
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Catalina
Member
Public Opinion is an influential factor in the minds of politicians.
Are there any prominent groups that advocate increased defence spending to the electorate?
While public opinion does influence politicians, it is the media and politicians that that influence public opinion and by making defence a not debated subject in NZ, the politicians here have controlled both the public and the media.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
Can't speak for NZ but one would think defence companies, and we do have some viable Canadian companies in this sector. They don't promote themselves and their importance very well. American subsidiary defence companies are low-key as well, only promoting their job and economic contributions. Neither stress their essential purpose, defending the country. In Canada we have some reasonably informed journalists who report on defence but publications keep them on the back pages for the most part.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
I suggest then, based on your comment, the media is failing. I guess they are like pollies, defence issues don't help their interests (electoral success and making money respectively). Pretty much the same here.
Our media is notably left wing ( a recent poll confirmed this) very PC and Woke.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
The perfect description of our taxpayer funded CBC.
Catalina
Member
Rather than the media or defence companies, I was thinking more along the lines of any defence advocacy groups, such as the Environmental Defence Society, which 'advocates, litigates and brings people together for the environment.'