Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

Rear Vision puts contemporary events in their historical context.

International leaders are calling for a two-state solution – as the only long-term way to solve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in the occupied territories. But just how viable is the creation of a Palestinian state and does the political will exist on either side to negotiate a final agreement?

Bernie Sanders was the first independent and first self-professed socialist to be voted first into the House and then the US Senate, for decades. He has espoused the same message for over 40 years: affordable education, universal health care and economic equality. For most of those 40 years he was a voice in the wilderness but suddenly his message is resonating with thousands of young Americans - so what’s going on?

Coles and Woolworths didn't start out in food retail but after making the switch in the 1950s they quickly started taking over the competition.  We examine their rise to market dominance, and who are the winners and losers when an industry is dominated by just two players?

Does history rhyme? Should we make comparison between Germany in the 1930 and America in 2024? Are there parallels between the rise of Adolf Hitler and Donald Trump. Or are such comparison – ahistorical and ridiculous. 

President Trump loves tariffs but most economists hate them.We look at how tariffs work and what history can tell us about their impact on economies.And the industries protected by them.

This week in New Zealand saw one of the biggest protests its seen for decades. A nine-day march ending in the capital Wellington – with a demonstration of around 55,00 people outside parliament house. The protesters are opposing the introduction of a bill which seeks to reinterpret New Zealand’s founding document between the British Crown and Māori chiefs and there are fears it will dilute the rights of the Māori.  This is the story of the treaty that defines New Zealand.

For over a century having or performing an abortion was a crime across Australia – but over the past decade it’s been decriminalised every state and territory. Yet despite being legal - access to an abortion is not equally available to all women. The story of abortion reform in Australia and the fight for access. 

Guests

Dr Erica Millar, Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe University.

Barbara Baird, Associate Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies at Flinders University.

Caroline DeCosta, Adjunct Professor at the Cairns Institute - James Cook University. She was previously the Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at James Cook University.

The yes in my backyard movement (YIMBY) wants greater density in established suburbs and inner city.  Nimbies (NIMBY) are happy with the status quo and object to change.But does the framing of the YIMBY vs NIMBY debate help us understand the complexities of urban planning?  

This week the America goes to the polls to elect its President. It will be close, possibly coming down to a few swing states and a few thousand voters, and if that’s the case, we’re likely to see challenges in courts and accusations of election fraud. But we’ve seen it all before - the story of the 2020 election and scheme to overturn it.