Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

‘Pushing Against an Open Door’: Reinforcing the Neo-liberal Policy Paradigm in Ireland and the Impact of EU Intrusion

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Sovereign Debt Crisis, the EU and Welfare State Reform

Part of the book series: Work and Welfare in Europe ((RECOWE))

Abstract

Neo-liberalism’s resilience since the financial crisis has by now become a commonplace observation. In the case of Ireland, however, it might be more apt to speak of not just neo-liberalism’s resilience but also its active reinforcement. By re-visiting Hall’s (1993) essay on paradigm change and paying particular attention to the adaptive quality of what he calls first and second order paradigm change and by reading his work against more recent scholarship on the relationship between ideas and power, how Ireland’s response to its crisis has reinforced its dominant neo-liberal policy paradigm is detailed in this chapter. How neo-liberal ideas, despite provoking controversy, remained powerful in domestic debate in the aftermath of the crisis is demonstrated. Moreover, in this chapter, the argument that by the time financial support was acquired, European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) actors were, for the most part, ‘pushing against an open door’ with Irish political elites in relation to deficit reduction, how to achieve it and its role in economic recovery is given. Focusing on changes to taxation and social protection in particular, an analysis regarding how the reinforcement of the neo-liberal paradigm is evident in efforts made to limit tax increases, whereas more radical retrenchment and reform of social protection is taking place to ensure its closer compatibility with the perceived needs of a globalised neo-liberal economic paradigm is provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Begg, D. (2013, February 22). The implications of the crisis for European integration and democratic legitimacy, address to EU heads of mission. Retrieved June 4, 2014, from http://www.ictu.ie/download/pdf/address_to_eu_heads_of_mission_db_feb_22_2102.pdf

  • Béland, D. (2005). Ideas and social policy: An institutionalist perspective. Social Policy & Administration, 39(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Béland, D. (2009). Ideas, institutions, and policy change. Journal of European Public Policy, 16(5), 701–718.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bew, P., Hazelkorn, E., & Patterson, H. (1989). The dynamics of Irish politics. London: Lawrence and Wishart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blyth, M. (2013). Paradigms and paradox: The politics of economic ideas in two moments of crisis. Governance, 26(2), 197–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, M. (2011). Who benefits from the crisis in Ireland? Soundings, 47(Spring), 130–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, M., & Walsh, M. (2011). Tax expenditures: Revenue and information forgone – The experience of Ireland (Working Paper No. 1211). Dublin, Ireland: Trinity Economics Papers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Community Platform. (2011). Paying our way. Dublin: Community Platform.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowen, B. (2009). Statement on the budget by the Taoiseach Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., Dáil Éireann, Thursday, 10 December 2009, at 11.00 a.m. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie

  • Cowen, B. (2010). Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen TD on the 2011 Budget, Dáil Éireann, Wednesday, 8 December 2010, at 10.45 a.m. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie

  • Cox, R. (2001). The social construction of an imperative: Why welfare reform happened in Denmark and the Netherlands but not in Germany. World Politics, 53(3), 463–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crouch, C. (2011). The strange non-death of neoliberalism. Cambridge: Polity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Finance. (2009). Replacement rates and unemployment. Dublin: Department of Finance.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Finance. (2014). Draft Ireland’s stability programme update April 2014. Dublin: Department of Finance.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Social Protection. (2010). Report on the desirability and feasibility of introducing a single social assistance payment for people of working age. Dublin: Department of Social Protection.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Social Protection. (2011). Project plan for the development and implementation of the national employment entitlements service. Dublin: Department of Social Protection.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Social Protection. (2014). Annual report 2013. Dublin: Government of Ireland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of the Taoiseach. (2009). Framework for a pact for stabilisation, social solidarity and economic renewal. Dublin: Department of the Taoiseach.

    Google Scholar 

  • DG ECFIN. (2011). The economic adjustment programme for Ireland: Spring 2011 review. Brussels: European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • DG ECFIN. (2012a). Annual growth survey 2013. Brussels: European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • DG ECFIN. (2012b). Economic adjustment programme for Ireland: Winter 2011 review. Brussels: European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • DG ECFIN. (2012c). Economic adjustment programme for Ireland: Spring 2012 review. Brussels: European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • DG ECFIN. (2013). Economic adjustment programme for Ireland: Autumn 2013 review. Brussels: European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • DG EMPL. (2007). Joint report on social protection and social inclusion 2007. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dukelow, F. (2005). A path towards a more ‘employment friendly’ liberal regime? Globalisation and the Irish social security system. In B. Cantillon & I. Marx (Eds.), International co-operation in social security: How to cope with globalisation (pp. 125–154). Antwerp: Intersentia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dukelow, F. (2015). State to the rescue: The bank guarantee and Ireland’s financialised neo-liberal growth model. In R. Meade & F. Dukelow (Eds.), Defining events: Power, resistance and identity in twenty-first-century Ireland (pp. 143–160). Manchester: Manchester University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • EAPN Ireland. (2011). Budget 2012 – Pre-budget submission. Dublin: EAPN Ireland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edsall, T. (2008, October 13). Global economic crisis likely to have profound consequences for US politics, world relations. Huffington Post. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/13/global-economiccrisis-li_n_134393.html

  • European Commission. (2010, December 30). Ireland memorandum of understanding on specific economic conditionality. Retrieved September 14, 2014, from http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/articles/eu_economic_situation/pdf/2010-12-07-mou_en.pdf

  • European Commission. (2011, July 28). Ireland memorandum of understanding on specific economic conditionality. Second update. Retrieved September 14, 2014, from http://www.finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/EUimfJul2011.pdf

  • European Commission. (2013a, June 3). Ireland memorandum of understanding on specific economic conditionality. Ninth update. Retrieved September 14, 2014, from http://www.finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/moujun2013search.pdf

  • European Commission. (2013b, April). Ireland memorandum of understanding on specific economic conditionality. Eight update. Retrieved September 14, 2014, from http://www.finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/mousearchmarch2013.pdf

  • Gilmore, E. (2013, June 28). Our task in EU is to build on what we have achieved. Irish Times.

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Ireland. (2008). Building Ireland’s smart economy: A framework for sustainable economic renewal. Dublin: Stationery Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Government of Ireland. (2010). The national plan for recovery 2011–2014. Dublin: Stationery Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, P. (1993). Policy paradigms, social learning and the state: The case of economic policy making in Britain. Comparative Politics, 25(3), 275–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hay, C. (2001). The ‘crisis’ of Keynesianism and the rise of neoliberalism in Britain: An ideational institutionalist approach. In J. Campbell & O. Pedersen (Eds.), The Rise of neoliberalism and institutional analysis (pp. 193–218). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay, C., Riiheläinen, J. M., Smith, N. J., & Watson, M. (2008). Ireland: The outlier inside. In K. Dyson (Ed.), The Euro at ten, Europeanization, power and convergence (pp. 182–203). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heclo, H. (1974). Modern social politics in Britain and Sweden: From relief to income maintenance. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemerijck, A. (2012). Two or three waves of welfare state transformation? In N. Morel, B. Palier, & J. Palme (Eds.), Towards a social investment welfare state? (pp. 33–60). Bristol: The Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • IBEC. (2010). IBEC pre-budget submission 2010. Dublin: IBEC.

    Google Scholar 

  • ICTU. (2009). Building Ireland’s smart economy. A framework for sustainable economic renewal. Preliminary observations by the Irish congress of trade unions. Dublin: ICTU.

    Google Scholar 

  • IMF. (2013). Ireland IMF country report no. 13/93. Washington DC: IMF.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitchin, R., O’Callaghan, M., Boyle, M., Gleeson, J., & Keaveney, K. (2012). Placing neoliberalism: The rise and fall of Ireland’s Celtic Tiger. Environment and Planning A, 44, 1302–1326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lenihan, B. (2008a, July 4). Government and the financial services sector Minister’s speech at PAI conference on financial regulation. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from http://www.finance.gov.ie

  • Lenihan, B. (2008b, October 14). Financial statement of the Minister for Finance Mr. Brian Lenihan, T.D. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from http://www.budget.gov.ie

  • Lenihan, B. (2009, December 9). Financial statement of the Minister for Finance Mr. Brian Lenihan, T.D. Retrieved October 20, 2013, http://www.budget.gov.ie

  • Mackintosh, J. (2013). Ireland: Poster child for austerity. Financial Times. Retrieved October 20, 2013, from http://blogs.ft.com/ft-long-short/2013/03/04/ireland-poster-child-for-austerity/

  • McCoy, D. (2008, June 25). Pay pause in public sector would be in national interest. Irish Times.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCoy, D. (2010, April 16). Cost of banking crisis is a manageable burden. Irish Times.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonough, T., & Dundon, T. (2010). Thatcherism delayed? The Irish crisis and the paradox of social partnership. Industrial Relations Journal, 41(6), 544–562.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peck, J., Theodore, N., & Brenner, N. (2012). Neoliberalism resurgent? Market rule after the great recession. The South Atlantic Quarterly, 111(2), 265–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scharpf, F. W. (2013). Monetary union, fiscal crisis and the disabling of democratic accountability. In A. Schäfer & W. Streeck (Eds.), Politics in the age of austerity (pp. 26–58). Cambridge: Polity.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, V. (2010). Taking ideas and discourse seriously: Explaining change through discursive institutionalism as the fourth ‘new institutionalism’. European Political Science Review, 2(1), 1–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, V., & Thatcher, M. (Eds.). (2013). Resilient liberalism in Europe’s political economy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, V., & Woll, C. (2013). The state: The bête noire of neo-liberalism or its greatest conquest? In V. Schmidt & M. Thatcher (Eds.), Resilient liberalism in Europe’s political economy (pp. 112–141). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinmo, S. (2008). Historical institutionalism. In D. della Porta & M. Keating (Eds.), Approaches and methodologies in the social sciences: A pluralist perspective (pp. 118–138). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stiglitz, J. (2011, July 7). The ideological crisis of Western capitalism. Social Europe Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2014, from http://www.social-europe.eu/2011/07/the-ideological-crisis-of-western-capitalism/

  • Streeck, W., & Thelen, K. (2005). Beyond continuity – Institutional change in advanced political economies. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney, P. (2009, January 31). What we need for recovery is a major Keynesian-style stimulus package. Irish Times.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trichet, J.-C. (2010). ECB annual report for 2008 – Report on the 2009 annual statement on the Euro area and public finances (debate), European Parliament, Thursday, 25 March, Brussels, Belgium. Retrieved June 4, 2014, from http://www.europarl.europa.eu

  • Weymes, L. (2012). Fiscal consolidation does it deliver? Dublin: Central Bank of Ireland. Economic Letter Series, 12(7), 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    Fiona Dukelow

Authors
  1. Fiona Dukelow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business and Politics, Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Caroline De La Porte

  2. School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    Elke Heins

Copyright information

© 2016 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Dukelow, F. (2016). ‘Pushing Against an Open Door’: Reinforcing the Neo-liberal Policy Paradigm in Ireland and the Impact of EU Intrusion. In: De La Porte, C., Heins, E. (eds) The Sovereign Debt Crisis, the EU and Welfare State Reform. Work and Welfare in Europe. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58179-2_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58179-2_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-58178-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-58179-2

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation