Especially in the late 20th century, Ireland has undergone substantial changes in its economy, politics (including education), and society, which can be described as an overall modernisation.
An important aspect in analysing this process is to examine how big the influence of the European Union, which Ireland joined in 19731 after its first application in 19612, was and is.
Is European integration a key aspect of Ireland’s rise to prosperity, or did national policy making play the main role? How important is the EU to Ireland’s development nowadays and what is to be expected in the future?
Table of Contents
I Introduction
II Analysis
1. Economy
2. Politics
3. Social Change
III Conclusion
IV Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the influence of European integration on the modernization of Ireland in the late 20th century. It explores whether Ireland's transformation into a prosperous nation was primarily driven by national policies or by its involvement with the European Union.
- Economic development and the Celtic Tiger era
- Political modernization including the Northern Ireland peace process
- Educational and health sector reforms
- Social shifts regarding gender roles, immigration, and the influence of the Roman Catholic Church
Excerpt from the Book
1. Economy
Ireland’s most recent and main period of economic growth is referred to as the Celtic Tiger (1995-2007), and boosted the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country that could have been described as underdeveloped in 1987 with a GDP per capita of 69% of the EU average. In 2007, Ireland’s GDP per person accounted for 148% of EU average, which made it the second strongest economy in the EU after Luxembourg.
Looking back, one of the most important policies which enabled economic growth in the long run was the abolishment of protectionist policies in the late 1950s, in order to benefit from the “increasingly mobile and global nature of businesses”, thus, to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Nevertheless, the economy experienced another downturn between 1980 and 1987, shortly before the period of the Celtic Tiger. In reaction to this decrease, the government established the Programme for National Recovery (PNR), which embodied an agreement on wage levels in the public and private sector, a reformation of the income tax system and an agreement of maintaining the value of social welfare payments in return for austerity measures in public spending.
Summary of Chapters
I Introduction: This chapter introduces the historical context of Ireland's modernization and outlines the central research question regarding the influence of the European Union.
II Analysis: This section provides a detailed examination of Ireland's economic growth, political developments including the peace process, and significant social changes such as evolving gender roles and secularization.
1. Economy: This chapter details the rise of the Celtic Tiger, the impact of FDI, and the role of EU policies and the Common Agricultural Policy in shaping the Irish economy.
2. Politics: This chapter covers political modernization, specifically highlighting the peace process in Northern Ireland, educational improvements, and reforms in the healthcare system.
3. Social Change: This chapter analyzes shifts in population dynamics, immigration patterns, the changing status of women in the labor force, and the declining influence of the Roman Catholic Church.
III Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, emphasizing the vital role of the European Union in Ireland’s economic recovery and future development path.
IV Bibliography: This section lists all scholarly books, academic journals, and internet sources used for the analysis.
Keywords
Ireland, Modernization, European Union, Celtic Tiger, Foreign Direct Investment, Economic Growth, Political Stability, Northern Ireland, Peace Process, Social Change, Secularization, Immigration, Gender Equality, European Integration, Prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the process of modernization in Ireland during the late 20th century, specifically examining how integration into the European Union influenced this development.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The thematic fields include economic growth and policy, political reforms (including the peace process and education), and social developments like migration and changing religious influences.
What is the main research question?
The research asks whether European integration was a key factor in Ireland’s rise to prosperity or if national policy-making played the more significant role.
Which scientific method is applied?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis based on existing academic literature, reports, and statistical data regarding Irish economic and social history.
What topics are discussed in the main analysis?
The main part analyzes economic policies like FDI, the evolution of the peace process, reforms in education and healthcare, and demographic shifts including immigration and secularization.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Irish modernization, European integration, the Celtic Tiger, FDI, and social and political transition.
How did the EU specifically affect the Irish agricultural sector?
The EU provided support through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which helped modernize the sector to increase competitiveness, although the sector has faced challenges and shrinking market shares over time.
What role did the Roman Catholic Church play in Irish social modernization?
Historically very influential, the Church's role in Irish society has seen a decline due to secularization and scandals, influencing changes in gender roles and social attitudes.
- Citation du texte
- Sophia Braun (Auteur), 2012, Is Irish modernisation unthinkable without European Integration?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/198509
