In the past few decades Ireland has become increasingly integrated into the global financial and economic system. Whether through FDI or her dependence on exports, Ireland has long left behind archaic fantasies of an enclosed, self-reliant nation state. At the same time a new strain of nationalism has manifested itself: the patriot as globalised businessman.
Yet the economics and politics pages of the major newspapers fail to reflect this shift. When they do deal with international trends, these are often cast in purely external terms – the ink that is spilled on these issues doesn’t try to paint Ireland into the picture in any meaningful or realistic way. This has given rise to dangerous tendencies in Irish politics.
We have, in many ways, become Americanised in our attitudes toward the world and toward history. We see ourselves as exceptions on the world stage and demonstrate no ability to take into account historical lessons, whether from yesterday or from last century – the wall of history is whitewashed and emblazoned upon it instead is the graffiti of crass optimism.
This blog aims to counteract this trend. It is up to the reader to judge whether it succeeds or not.
