The political backlash.

It’s happened many times in this country but the myth perpetuates that we have never had aggressive protests, and political violence in the country.

Of course we have, and people have died in some of these events, too. Looking back to the 1980s it took over 100 farmer suicides nationwide before political violence erupted in Lower South Island in response to the affects of Rogernomics.

The complacent Kiwi takes time to decide whether the situation is a lack of personal responsibility or political aggression.

That’s the situation we’re in now, with multiple protests involving tens of thousands of people across New Zealand. Push the envelope too far and it will happen again, like we’re seeing overseas.

Democratic countries have varying tolerances, some lower than ours, but the current disruption in Europe in particular is about excessive government.

It could go either way. Perhaps Ardern’s government will muddle through and avoid that … perhaps they won’t.

Working on the premise that they do, what needs to be taken into account?

In the recent post New Media we looked at the rise of the 5th Estate. This doesn’t happen in isolation. There are political waves corresponding to these media changes – the two are inseparable in a democracy.

If you’re following Barry Soper battling with Ardern what you’re seeing is the same democratic backlash that’s raised the 5th Estate with Ardern demanding acceptance of and compliance with her new propaganda machine.

And that’s exactly what it is, without any exaggeration, the artfully crafted mirage, that stole the media with our money.

In the election last year, the significant difference was in the quality of minor party candidates. They weren’t running on voter adrenaline to fall over the day after the election.

Many of them just carried on campaigning and kept working towards the next election – that’s what’s sitting alongside this new media.

You can see some of these rising personalities being interviewed by new media, also working together and developing a formidable new political force.

It corresponds with what Putin said in a speech earlier this month to his own country … about the need for sensible conservatism, and if in Russia, why not here?

Scott Morrison got a dose of that yesterday when his own senators crossed the floor to vote with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party.

So, what does that mean for the man in New Zealand … the bloke in the street?

At the very least, voter options. But beyond that an opportunity for participation. Not necessarily as a candidate, although that’s a viable option but certainly with policy proposals.

Many have out of necessity kept some degree of political independence for the sake of funding or to avoid political aggression but that’s no reason to ignore the opportunity of providing policy input.

Union of Fathers was very active in that area although those efforts weren’t realised until after National had succeeded at the polls in 2008.

It’s time for a shift in mindset and for men to consider political involvement ‘now’ rather than waiting until the next election.

This is the best opportunity for change in the past 20 years outside of the protests that have been raised by men’s groups during that time.

Hopefully our readers that have a genuine interest in creating change in our areas of concern will take a serious look at this.

What you have in knowledge and experience may be a surprise to many people who are isolated from your experiences, though

But … they will likely have a good understanding of mandatory outcomes.