Politics in the Republic of Ireland

Cover......Page 1
Half Title......Page 2
Title Page......Page 4
Copyright Page......Page 5
Table of Contents......Page 6
List of figures......Page 10
List of tables......Page 11
List of boxes......Page 12
Notes on contributors......Page 13
Preface......Page 16
Glossary......Page 18
Acronyms......Page 20
Part 1 The context of Irish politics......Page 22
  The legacy of British rule......Page 24
  The transition to independence......Page 32
  The consolidation of statehood......Page 36
  Notes......Page 46
  References and further reading......Page 47
  Websites......Page 50
  Political culture and its importance......Page 51
  Stability and change in Irish society......Page 53
  Ireland’s changing political culture......Page 60
  A divided political culture?......Page 71
  Conclusion......Page 72
  Notes......Page 73
  References and further reading......Page 74
  Websites......Page 77
 Chapter 3 Politics, the constitution andthe judiciary......Page 78
  The background: the Irish Free State constitution......Page 79
  The main features of the constitution......Page 81
  Amendment of the constitution......Page 83
  Judicial development of the constitution......Page 87
  The debate on constitutional change......Page 96
  Conclusion......Page 101
  References and further reading......Page 102
  Websites......Page 106
Part 2 Representative democracy at work......Page 108
  Proportional representation in Ireland......Page 110
  How PR-STV works......Page 113
  The political consequences of PR-STV......Page 121
  Notes......Page 128
  References and further reading......Page 129
  Websites......Page 131
  Parties and party systems......Page 132
  The parties......Page 134
  Classification and evolution of the party system......Page 141
  The changing party system?......Page 143
  Party organisation......Page 144
  Party finance......Page 150
  Conclusion......Page 153
  References and further reading......Page 154
  Websites......Page 157
  Analysing voting behaviour......Page 158
  Explanations of voting choice......Page 160
  Leaders and candidates......Page 171
  Other aspects of voting......Page 176
  References and further reading......Page 179
  Websites......Page 184
  The president......Page 185
  Parliament and government: theory and practice......Page 187
  Appointment and dismissal of governments......Page 191
  Making policy......Page 193
  Scrutinising the behaviour of government......Page 199
  Seanad Éireann......Page 204
  A weak parliament?......Page 206
  Notes......Page 208
  References and further reading......Page 209
  Websites......Page 211
  The nature of constituency work......Page 212
  Causes of constituency work......Page 222
  Consequences of TDs’ constituency work......Page 229
  Conclusion......Page 232
  References and further reading......Page 233
  Websites......Page 236
 Chapter 9 Women in politics......Page 237
  Women in society......Page 238
  Women in political institutions......Page 241
  Causes of the under-representation of women......Page 249
  Consequences of the under-representation of women......Page 251
  Notes......Page 255
  References and further reading......Page 256
  Websites......Page 259
Part 3 Policy and administration......Page 262
 Chapter 10 The government and the Taoiseach......Page 264
  Government formation......Page 265
  Taoiseach and cabinet......Page 270
  Ministers and departments......Page 278
  Monitoring Irish government......Page 283
  Conclusion......Page 286
  References and further reading......Page 287
  Websites......Page 289
  Public policy and bureaucracy......Page 291
  Public policy and interest groups......Page 294
  Sectional groups......Page 298
  Cause-centred groups......Page 303
  Lobbying and the democratic process......Page 307
  Notes......Page 312
  References and further reading......Page 313
  Websites......Page 315
 Chapter 12 The media and politics......Page 316
  Media and democracy......Page 317
  The Irish media sector......Page 318
  Media, parliament and government......Page 324
  Media and elections......Page 328
  The media in a changing world......Page 334
  Conclusion......Page 336
  References and further reading......Page 337
  Websites......Page 340
Part 4 Ireland in a wider world......Page 342
 Chapter 13 Northern Ireland and the Britishdimension......Page 344
  Northern Ireland and the South......Page 345
  The Irish–British relationship......Page 349
  The Good Friday Agreement......Page 352
  Towards a stable political system?......Page 359
  Notes......Page 364
  References and further reading......Page 365
  Websites......Page 368
 Chapter 14 Europe and theinternational dimension......Page 370
  The external environment......Page 371
  European Union institutions......Page 374
  Public opinion and attitudes towards Europe......Page 379
  Public policy and European governance......Page 382
  Emerging challenges......Page 386
  Conclusion......Page 388
  References and further reading......Page 389
  Websites......Page 390
Appendices......Page 392
 Appendix 1: Demographic data......Page 393
 Appendix 2: Electoral data......Page 395
 Appendix 3: Political office holders......Page 404
 Appendix 4: Government departments......Page 409
 Appendix 5: Biographical notes on major political figures......Page 412
 Appendix 6: Chronology of main political events......Page 421
Index......Page 424