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Ireland's Economic History

Ireland's Economic History

Gerard McCann

(2011)

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Abstract

This book explores the complex developments that have shaped Ireland's economic development, north and south, and led to recurring crises and instability.

The Irish economy has been traditionally portrayed as a product of its political divisions and the colonial legacy, divided and analysed in terms of the hegemonic tensions that exist on the island. Influenced by these divisions, academics have tended to look at a two-region approach to economic development, without adequately acknowledging the interactive nature of the island economy as a source of the crises or as a solution to systemic divergence.

McCann's definitive and dynamic history of the Irish economy circumvents conventional analyses and investigates the economic development of the island economy as a whole, highlighting where aggressive differentiation has been divisive and destabilising. He concludes by considering an alternative integrated and cohesive process of economic development.
'An outstanding critique of the management of the Irish economy over two centuries. For anyone interested in understanding why Ireland is in the state it is in: read it'
Denis O'Hearn, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Cover Cover
Contents v
Acknowledgements vii
Introduction 1
1. The Colonial Economy (1831-1860) 5
Land and Laissez-Faire 13
The Famine Economy 23
2. Post-Famine Adjustment and Industrialization (1861-1921) 35
The New Reality 51
War as Stimulus 59
3. Partititon and Depression (1921-1939) 70
The Northern 'Dominion' 79
Economic War 86
4. The Impact of War (1939-1957) 102
War Economy in the North 107
Post-War Reconstruction 115
5. Modernization and the Conflict Economy (1958-1987) 125
Opening the North 136
Into the European Economic Community 145
The Conflict Economy in the North 152
The Bleak 1980s 161
6. The Peace Dividend (1988-2001) 166
Integrating the Border as an Answer 170
Regionalization as Development 175
The Agreement 183
7. Neoliberal Ireland 192
From Model to Miracle 204
The Collapse 209
Conclusion 215
Bibliography 219
Index 233