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). The 2011 general election presented a watershed moment for Irish protesters. Opposition parties had challenged austerity and the conditions of Ireland’s bailout during the election campaign ( BBC 2011 ). With their campaign rhetoric, opposition parties contributed to a generalised sense among protesters that Irish governments had some measure of agency in European politics and in negotiations with EU
Identity is often regarded as something that is possessed by individuals, states, and other agents. In this edited collection, identity is explored across a range of approaches and under-explored case studies with a view to making visible its fractured, contingent, and dynamic features. The book brings together themes of belonging and exclusion, identity formation and fragmentation. It also examines how identity functions in discourse, and the effects it produces, both materially and in ideational terms. Taking in case studies from Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, the various chapters interrogate identity through formal governing mechanisms, popular culture and place. These studies demonstrate the complex and fluid nature of identity and identity practices, as well as implications for theorising identity.
government. ● ● 152 ● Understanding British and European political issues It has always been assumed that the uncodified, flexible nature of the British constitution has allowed it to adapt naturally to the need for change. So, for example, the non-political role of the monarchy has gradually evolved for over a century. Similarly, parliament has rarely experienced any dramatic changes to its powers and procedures, but has adapted itself to the nature of modern government cautiously and gradually. Reform before 1997 The main changes in Britain’s constitutional
wanted to see re-unification with the Irish Republic. The Loyalists or Unionists were more concerned with resisting nationalism than with re-establishing devolved government. 172 Understanding British and European political issues The origins of devolution Much of the background to the devolution movement refers specifically to Scotland and Wales for reasons described above. Despite the long history of nationalism, the modern devolution story really begins in the 1970s. In that decade there was a distinct rise in nationalist devolution feeling. The most obvious
disputes could be settled. The cultural dimension would also go some way to preventing extremist movements, notably fascism and communism, from emerging again 192 Understanding British and European political issues in western Europe. The economic plan, on the other hand, would result in the great European powers having such a strong vested interest in peace, that war would become unthinkable. Put another way, once there was economic interdependence, the benefits of peace would always outweigh gains to be made through war. The debates over Europe’s future have to be
for poor families. • 1975 Child Benefit Act. Replaced tax allowances for families with children with a child benefit to be paid in cash direct to parents. This extensive list of developments demonstrates the extent to which social security provision was changed and added to by both Labour and Conservative governments. As one would expect, most of the changes were made by 68 Understanding British and European political issues Labour, but the Conservatives played their part, with a key development being the introduction of the graduated, earnings-related pension
maintain its 2 Understanding British and European political issues dominance of the Middle East in the 1956 Suez crisis and the advent of Harold Macmillan as a realistic, pragmatic prime minister in 1957 provided a spur to this process. During the late 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s most of the empire in Africa, South-East Asia and the Caribbean was granted independence. Put simply, the empire had underpinned British prosperity for over a hundred years by providing both a source of cheap raw materials and ready markets for her own manufactured goods. Although
human rights of the Conservatives’ increasingly severe policies. 80 Understanding British and European political issues The election campaign of 1979 marks a clear end to the consensus. The Labour party was still arguing that economic prosperity and reduced unemployment would solve many of the problems of crime. Restoration of communities, better housing and social services were also seen as basic answers. This was rejected by the Conservatives who actually blamed many of the policies of the Labour government of 1974–79 for the rising crime rate. Labour’s ‘soft
-built power relations. The symbolic structuration of the political meaning of European elections cannot be separated from the institutional structuration of national political fields and the evolving European political field. Although considered to be weak in international comparison, French civil society has been revitalised by European integration. French intellectuals too have seen in the European Parliament elections an occasion to influence political decision-making and to put pressure on political parties. Some intellectuals, such as Pierre Bourdieu, have used these
Understanding British and European political issues could be made. Thatcher was also committed to avoiding large tax increases. This was both a philosophical motion, based on the idea that high taxes are a disincentive to enterprise, and a necessity as the economy needed greater stimulation. It was to take three years before the new government could take stock and decide what to do. HEALTH UNDER THE CONSERVATIVES, 1979–97 Funding The most obvious reaction to the growing crisis was to examine the whole basis upon which the NHS was being funded. There were a number of