If you want to do economics then go for it.
The only problem with dist ed. I'd imagine is that you need to be motivated to study Economics. In truth, you don't need a teacher for HSC Economics. So long as you have a couple of decent textbooks and keep track of the recent statistics and trends...
If we want to be a 'middle power', 'evolving' into a republic will not help us achieve the status. We need to strengthen militarily, for instance by developing nuclear weapons. It's a question of substance, not form.
Social roles evolve, values evolve. What it means to be masculine depends on what the present state of sociology, technology and science requires. Notions of masculinity existed because they were convenient for reinforcing and encouraging certain forms of societal specialisation. Certain jobs...
Actually the concept of truth is a human construct, in the sense that meaning in the form which we understand lives only when the physiological man asserts its existence, either by attributing it to god or otherwise.
To clarify, I am not a fan of accusing others of having 'inconsistent' or 'hypocritical' views. 'Inconsistency' is often a phantom of the imperfection of language in expressing ideas. It is the semantic tool which those who for instance oppose abortion, killing in war, capital punishment...
My comments are not to be taken as an endorsement of 'absolute' censorship of everything related to the mention subjects, but as to mean that censorship ought to be available as a tool to address the issues. Some material, depending on their seriousness and nature should be censored. It is true...
I think whether putting an absolute stop to alcohol, tobacco and gambling is beneficial to societal welfare is arguable both ways. There are the factors you have mentioned. On the other hand there are other factors - some individuals can maximise utility when they consume alcohol, tobacco and...
"Societal welfare" is shorthand for aggregate individual welfare. It is unlikely that "absolute" bans (or censorship) would maximise such function, but some level of restrictions (or censorship) may well be appropriate.
More choice (or "liberty") is not always better. First, choices carry...