Ireland and the Politics of Change (Paperback)

This volume assesses the fundamental changes in Irish society over the last several decades, changes that have led to a more prosperous, more economically self-sufficient and more outward-looking nation. The areas addressed include: a social profile of Irish citizens over time; the restructuring of the Irish economy and its consequences for the modern Irish state; the evolution of social and religious values and their political ramifications; the role of the Catholic Church and its changing relationship to Irish society and governmental power; political institutions; policy formation and impact in areas ranging from social welfare, industrial finance and economic policy to education and religion; the evolving international role of Ireland and in particular its relationship to the European Union; the efforts to promote a lasting peace with Northern Ireland and the changing conception of potential resolutions to the divisions present; and the relevance of these developments both for appreciating the current Irish state and its contribution to democratic development and economic modernization.