Victoria University Press book
explores the whirlwind 2017 election
A
new Victoria University Press (VUP) book examining the 2017 New Zealand general
election has been officially launched in Wellington by Prime Minister Jacinda
Ardern.
Stardust and Substance: The New Zealand general election
of 2017, edited by
Professor Stephen Levine from the University’s Political Science and
International Relations programme, is a collection of essays from party
leaders, political commentators, academics and journalists about what happened
during New Zealand’s volatile 2017 general election, and why.
The book contains chapters on a wide range of topics
including the phenomenon of ‘Jacindamania’, the role of Māori electorates in
the election, and the effect of political scandals. As well as exploring the
personalities and forces that shaped the election, the book examines the legacy
of the previous National Government. It also features political cartoons from
the time of the election and is accompanied by a DVD containing commercials,
debates, campaign hoardings, campaign footage, and election documents.
Speaking
at the launch event, the Prime Minister said the book sheds light on the
sometimes unpredictable 2017 election from a range of viewpoints. “This book is
an artefact that brings to bear all of the different perspectives on what was …
an extraordinary campaign across the board,” she said.
“Projects
like this are chronicles of our shared history—our debated history—and a
celebration of our institutions.”
Stardust and Substance is the latest title in a longstanding series of books
that are published following the post-election conferences held at Parliament
after every general election since 1987. The books are edited by members of the
University's Political Science and International Relations programme, with
Professor Levine having been involved as an editor since the 1996 election. The
series was established by Emeritus Professor Dame Margaret Clark.
A
new feature of the latest instalment is that it contains chapters from
international commentators sharing perspectives on the New Zealand election as
seen from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and Japan.
Professor
Levine says the book aims to make sense of the forces driving the 2017 general
election and its outcome. “With 38 chapters from 46 contributors, this is the
most wide-ranging book in this election series.
“Informative
and thought-provoking, the book is a record of an election and its aftermath,
capturing a somewhat magical campaign and the serious matters of policy and
politics that hinged on the outcome,” says Professor Levine.
VUP
Publisher Fergus Barrowman says there has already been a lot of interest in the
volume, with a second reprint underway. “These books are an invaluable resource
for all people interested in recent politics. The amount of early interest in
this edition in particular is an encouraging sign of New Zealanders’ political
engagement.”
Stardust and Substance: The New Zealand general election
of 2017, edited by
Stephen Levine. Victoria University Press. Paperback, $40.00.
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