The economic implications of peace in Ireland
Citation:
Borooah, Vani K. 'Symposium on the Economic Implications of Peace in Ireland'. - Dublin: Journal of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland,Vol. XXVII, 1994/1995, pp133-144Download Item:
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Abstract:
The cease-fire of August 1994, in Northern Ireland, has held for sufficiently long to
raise the prospect of a permanent peace. Peace in Northern Ireland should be valued
and cherished in its own right, because it restores to life, a normalcy that most other
societies take for granted. But, it would be a mistake to view peace as offering a
glorious opportunity for economic development. Instead, it would be more realistic to
see the permanent end of political violence as one less constraint inhibiting the process
of economic development in Northern Ireland. In the absence of the constraint that the
Troubles imposed upon the Northern Ireland economy, the province's economic
problems are slightly more tractable, but they continue, nevertheless, to be formidable.
The two main economic problems facing Northern Ireland are those of high
unemployment and industrial decline. This paper argues that in order to solve these
problems, Northern Ireland will have to break free of a "dependency culture" that has
vitiated its economic life for the past half-century. There are four facets to this
dependency: fiscal; industrial; social; and educational. Any serious attempt to find a
lasting solution to Northern Ireland's economic ills must, as a pre-condition, address
these issues. Otherwise, a lasting peace will not be mirrored in greater prosperity.
Description:
Read before the Society, 23 February 1995
Author: Borooah, Vani K.
Other Titles:
Symposium on the Economic Implications of Peace in IrelandPublisher:
Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of IrelandType of material:
Journal articleCollections:
Series/Report no:
Journal of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of IrelandVol. XXVII 1994/1995
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Full text availableKeywords:
Peace process, Job creationISSN:
00814776Licences: