This is a major new text on Irish politics written by two leading authorities. Distinctive in providing a comprehensive treatment of Irish politics north and south, it is accessibly written and offers an up-to-date and comprehensive account of institutions, issues and developments.
 

About the Author(s)

By Maura Adshead and Jonathan Tonge

MAURA ADSHEAD is Senior Lecturer and Public Administration in Politics in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, Unviersity of Limerick, Ireland. She is author of Developing European Regions? (2002) and co-editor of Public Administration and Public Policy in Ireland: Theory and Methods (2003) and Contesting the State: Lessons from the Irish Case (2008).

JONATHAN TONGE is Professor of Politics at the University of Liverpool, UK. He is author of over 50 books, chapters and articles on British and Northern Irish politics. Recent books include Irish Protestant Identities (2008 co-edited), Northern Ireland (2006) and Sinn Fein and the SDLP (2005 with Gerry Murray).

Table of Contents

Introduction: Political Foundations of Irish Politics
PART I: POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
The Executive
The Legislature
The Bureaucracy
The Judiciary
PART II: POLITICAL BEHAVIOUR
Political Parties and the Party System
Electoral System and Voting Behaviour
Civil Society, Interest Groups and Pressure Politics
Political Culture
PART III: PUBLIC POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
Territorial Administration and Sub-National Government
Economic Management
Social Policy and the Welfare State
Ireland in the EU
Conclusions: Towards a New Ireland?