This volume assesses the fundamental changes in Irish society over the last several decades, changes that have led to a more prosperous, more economically self-sufficient and more outward-looking nation. The areas addressed include: a social profile of Irish citizens over time; the restructuring of the Irish economy and its consequences for the modern Irish state; the evolution of social and religious values and their political ramifications; the role of the Catholic Church and its changing relationship to Irish society and governmental power; political institutions; policy formation and impact in areas ranging from social welfare, industrial finance and economic policy to education and religion; the evolving international role of Ireland and in particular its relationship to the European Union; the efforts to promote a lasting peace with Northern Ireland and the changing conception of potential resolutions to the divisions present; and the relevance of these developments both for appreciating the current Irish state and its contribution to democratic development and economic modernization.

Ireland and the Politics of Change provides a timely assessment of the fundamental changes that have occurred in Irish society over the last several decades from the standpoint of their political significance. There is a particular concern with the leadership role of government and other political institutions in stimulating, managing and responding to the changes taking place that are of fundamental importance to understanding contemporary politics and today's Ireland in the world community.Considerable social, economic, demographic and international change has taken place within Ireland (and Northern Ireland) and without in relation to the rest of the world, and particularly in response to the association with the European Union. Ireland and the Politics of Change examines institutional developments, economic forces, demographic and attitudinal profiles and group-based (religious, gender, class) concerns as they have evolved and assesses their significance for policy enactment and political representation.