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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (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?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to explore the economic and societal transformations experienced in Ireland during the 1990s. It examines the factors contributing to the country's shift from economic depression to a period of rapid growth, known as the "Celtic Tiger". The essay also analyzes the impact of this transformation on immigration and asylum-seeking, shedding light on the emergence of racial tensions and societal shifts.- The economic transition of Ireland from the 1980s to the 1990s, including the development of the "Celtic Tiger" phenomenon.
- The role of government policies and social partnerships in driving economic growth.
- The impact of the economic boom on immigration and asylum seeking in Ireland.
- The emergence of racism and discrimination in Ireland against refugees and asylum seekers.
- The media's role in shaping public perceptions of immigration and racism.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the concept of Ireland's transformation during the 1990s, highlighting the shift from a country experiencing economic hardship to one experiencing rapid growth. The chapter sets the stage for the subsequent exploration of the factors contributing to this economic boom. The second chapter delves into the economic situation in Ireland during the 1980s, emphasizing the high national debt, unemployment, and brain drain that characterized this period. It then explores the economic policies implemented in the late 1980s and early 1990s, focusing on the social partnership deals and the government's role in managing the economic transition. The third chapter examines the shift from emigration to immigration in Ireland during the 1990s, specifically focusing on the increasing number of asylum seekers and refugees. The chapter analyzes the legal obstacles faced by these groups, the role of the media in shaping public perceptions, and the emergence of racism and discrimination.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords of this essay include: "Celtic Tiger", "economic growth", "social partnerships", "immigration", "asylum seekers", "racism", "discrimination", "media", "public perception", "Ireland", "1990s". These terms encapsulate the core themes of the essay, highlighting the intertwined aspects of Ireland's economic transformation, the rise of immigration, and the emergence of social challenges related to race and discrimination.- 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