
In Search of the Promised Land
The Politics of Post-War Ireland, 1945-1961
Gary Murphy(Author)
The Mercier Press
Published in November 2009
Book
Hardback
352 pages
978-1-85635-638-1 (ISBN)
Description
This title presents a head on challenge to the prevailing view that Post-Second World War Ireland was in a state of chaos. In his book, "Preventing the Future", Tom Garvin argues that old culture, old ideas and the repression of the Church held Ireland's development in check through the 1940s and 50s. It is a widely held view that the catholic culture of the island was a check on our progress. "In Search of the Promised Land" offers a different perspective. This book argues that in fact the various administrations were open to change and new ideas. That changes in thinking at both a governmental and a non-governmental level led Ireland to adopt new and outward looking policies. That while some policy makers were reluctant to accept any form of multi-lateral trading arrangements which would alter protected industry and the country's privileged access to British markets, the severe economic crisis that affected Ireland throughout the 1950s led to the adoption of fresh economic thinking both within and outside the civil service.
It was this fresh thinking that came from within the country and was championed by the people Garvin and his ilk see as holding back Ireland's progress, that eventually led to the association with Europe and the joining of the EEC. Far from holding the country back, the leadership and culture was seeking new ways to deal with the nations challenges.
It was this fresh thinking that came from within the country and was championed by the people Garvin and his ilk see as holding back Ireland's progress, that eventually led to the association with Europe and the joining of the EEC. Far from holding the country back, the leadership and culture was seeking new ways to deal with the nations challenges.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cork
Ireland
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-85635-638-1 (9781856356381)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Professor Gary Murphy is from Cork, he is a senior lecturer in Government at Dublin City University, where he is a member of the School of Law and Government. He is a regular contributor to media discussion on Irish and foreign politics, and was an ever-present face during media coverage of the 2008 American presidential campaign. He co-edited The Lemass Era: Politics and Society in the Ireland of Sean Lemass and from 2002 to 2005 he was co-editor of Irish Political Studies, the leading journal in Irish political science.