An examination of regional disparity in the Republic of Ireland 1926-1996

Abstract

Regional disparity has long been a feature of the Irish economy and the thesis accordingly attempts to provide a comprehensive understanding of its nature and causes. First of all, the nature of regional disparity is illustrated by drawing upon a range of international studies. The causes of regional disparity can conveniently be divided into "structural" and "locational" factors. We examine these factors using neo-classical growth theories, various regional paradigms (for example, the circular cumulative causation approach), and the "new" economic growth literature.