Bøger i Undercurrents S. serien

Using a range of current and historical sources, John Maguire contributes to the on-going debate on Ireland's participation in a European peace-keeping force, the Nice Treaty, and wider issues concerning democracy and the price of peace.

Irish political life has experienced great turmoil in recent years because of the scale and intricacy of political corruption being uncovered by parliamentary and quasi-judicial inquiries. There is genuine popular amazement and growing cynicism towards the seemingly never-ending wave of scandal and attendant tribunals. To understand political corruption in Ireland, this pamphlet examines the concept within a political-science analytical framework that allows both historical and international comparison. The book challenges the current explanations of political corruption, particularly those that stress a turning away from a political "golden age" in the 1960s"Understanding Political Corruption in Irish Politics" chronicles political scandals in the 1990s, looks at their causes and explains their consequences. It also suggests reform strategies that will reduce the incentives drawing politicians towards corruption and increase the likelihood and expense of being detected.

Farmers in Ireland have been protesting again recently about low farm incomes and calling for further state support. Yet farmers already receive large sums in EU and Irish state transfers to support their incomes, amounting to IR 32.4 billion per year. This amount now exceeds the value of farm income, raising the question of where this support has gone, and why are farmers complaining again? "Farm Incomes--Myths and Realities" examines current trends in farm incomes policy and shows the value of these transfers to Irish farmers and the Irish economy. It then analyzes the distribution of these payments among the farming population, and the relative importance of support to different types and sizes of farms. The book also compares total farm household incomes (including off-farm income) with the total incomes of non-farm households and examines the impact of social welfare transfers and income taxation on this comparison. It also highlights the extent and sources of rural poverty and deprivation. Finally, it recommends alternative mechanisms to provide a safety net for farm incomes within the context of ongoing changes in the EU's agricultural policy.

Should national policy be made via the courts rather than by politicians? The author argues that trends towards using the courts as a means of deciding controversial policy issues is fundamentally undemocratic.

Hanafin examines the role of the law and morals in death and dying, the shifts in attitude in Irish society towards death and dying, and the lack of political will in policymaking in this area. He also suggests possible legislative solutions.

This text looks at the requirement for consent prior to undertaking medical procedures. It considers how this requirement has assumed the important position it now holds and examines the way in which the requirement is given legal force.