The headline “She moves through the boom” is not my invention, but it is basically what this essay is about: Ann Marie Hourianne describes what modern Irish everyday life looks like at the turn of the millennium: Ireland between Londonisation and shepherds, between New York lifestyle and traditional St. Patrick’s Day. This essay is about the other side of the story: The point from which Ireland started its boom in the late 1980s, early 1990s, a country caught in deep depression. There is an account of the political measures taken to turn the development round, how these measures affected the country, and a little bit of economic theory to try and explain these developments on a smaller scale. To round off the economic side of the development, there is also a critical analysis of the phenomenon often called the Celtic Tiger. The second part of the essay is about how Ireland turned from emigration to immigration. Asylum-seekers became a major issue in Ireland in the second half of the 1990s, and the focus in this essay is on separating myth from truth by comparing the asylum-seekers’ and refugees’ situation in Ireland with the situation and figures of other European countries. Finally, the conclusion tries to combine these two areas dealt with in the essay and gives an outlook on possible future developments and action against racism.
Table of Contents
1. She moves through the boom
2. 1990s Ireland: A change in economy and society
2.1 The situation in the 1980s
2.2 The Celtic Tiger: A closer look at economic policy
2.3 Ireland and Foreign Markets
2.4 Ireland, the European Union, and the Single Market
2.5 The effects of the growth
2.6 The Celtic Tiger: Coughing Cat or Purring Engine?
3. Ireland in the 1990s: From Emigration to Immigration
3.1 Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Racism in Ireland
3.2 Figures and Countries of Origin
3.3 Legal Obstacles
3.4 Racism and the media
3.5 Cases of Racism in Ireland
4. Ireland in the 1990s: A Racist Society?
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the radical transformation of Ireland during the 1990s, analyzing both the economic phenomenon known as the "Celtic Tiger" and the subsequent social shift from a nation of emigration to one of immigration, which sparked new instances of racism.
- The transition from economic depression in the 1980s to the rapid growth of the 1990s.
- The influence of EU membership, foreign investment, and economic policy on Irish prosperity.
- The emergence of immigration as a societal issue and the rise of asylum-seeking in Ireland.
- A critical analysis of media representations of immigrants and the resulting rise in racist sentiment.
- The socio-political response to diversity within a historically homogenous nation.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Racism in Ireland
Ireland didn’t used to own colonies, so the Irish population naturally was not used to immigrants until the very recent past. Since the creation of the Irish Free State, there had been a very tough regime on immigration. The Minister for Justice used to have almost omnipotent power over immigrants and refugees, and if he decided someone had to go, then there was no appeal was possible. Ireland even refused to accept Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-Germany during the 1930s and 1940s. In 1992, some 700,000 asylum seekers came to Europe, and as few as 39 of them came to Ireland.
Summary of Chapters
1. She moves through the boom: The introduction sets the scene by contrasting traditional Irish life with the rapid cultural and economic changes occurring at the turn of the millennium.
2. 1990s Ireland: A change in economy and society: This chapter analyzes the factors—including government policy, foreign markets, and EU funding—that propelled Ireland out of the depression of the 1980s into the economic boom of the 1990s.
3. Ireland in the 1990s: From Emigration to Immigration: This section details the reversal of Ireland's historic migration patterns and explores the legal, media, and social challenges faced by the new influx of refugees and asylum seekers.
4. Ireland in the 1990s: A Racist Society?: The final chapter reflects on whether the rise in racist incidents contradicts Ireland's self-image as a welcoming society and calls for a less ideological debate regarding migration.
Keywords
Celtic Tiger, Ireland, 1990s, Immigration, Emigration, Racism, Asylum Seekers, Economic Growth, Social Partnership Deals, European Union, Foreign Direct Investment, Labour Shortage, Media Representation, Discrimination, Globalization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The paper focuses on the transformative decade of the 1990s in Ireland, exploring how the country moved from deep economic depression to the "Celtic Tiger" boom, and the social consequences of this shift, specifically regarding immigration.
What are the primary thematic pillars of the work?
The work covers economic policy and growth, the reversal of migration trends, legal obstacles for refugees, the role of media in shaping public opinion, and the emergence of institutional and social racism.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to separate myth from truth regarding the situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Ireland compared to other European nations, while analyzing the socio-economic causes of the Irish boom.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a combination of economic data analysis, critical review of governmental policy documents, and a sociological examination of media discourse and social surveys.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the 1980s economic backdrop, the mechanics of the "Celtic Tiger," the reliance on foreign markets, the legal framework regarding immigration, and documented cases of racism in the late 1990s.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include Celtic Tiger, immigration, racism, asylum seekers, economic growth, and the social transformation of 1990s Ireland.
How did the 1990s differ from previous decades in terms of Irish migration?
The 1990s marked a reversal of the traditional emigration process, as Ireland's newfound prosperity made it an attractive destination for high-skilled workers and, increasingly, refugees and asylum seekers.
What is the author’s perspective on the "Celtic Tiger" label?
The author questions the metaphorical accuracy of the "Celtic Tiger," suggesting that the rapid growth was dependent on globalization and often unevenly distributed across the country.
What does the text conclude about the state of racism in Ireland?
The author concludes that the rising number of racist incidents contradicts the image of an open society and urges that the migration debate be handled with less ideology and more focus on the actual challenges faced by all parties.
- Quote paper
- Nicholas Williams (Author), 2004, The 1990s: The Celtic Tiger, Immigration, and Racism in Ireland, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/127229
