Reflections on the Irish State

In recent years Ireland has experienced rapid change, economically, politically, socially and constitutionally, yet until now there has been no sustained multi-disciplinary study of these critically inter-linked spheres. In this new groundbreaking book, written for the non-specialist reader, former Taoiseach or Prime Minister (1981-1982, 1982-1987) Dr Garret FitzGerald reflects on the fundamental changes that have occurred and on their far-reaching consequences. Examining the forces that have drawn almost all Irish political parties to a common centre, the book questions the rationale and relevance of the current party political structure, and delves into the ever controversial area of ethics in politics. In the economic sphere the book discusses, among other issues, the profound impact of demographic change on Ireland's economic performance, and considers the social and psychological consequences of the rapid rise in average living standards, as well as the problem of reconciling a lo