Political Conflict, Partition, and the Underdevelopment of the Irish Economy

This paper argues that the partition of Ireland has not only contributed to over seventy years of political instability and conflict, but has also contributed to the underdevelopment of the Irish economy, North and South. The paper examines the historical development of the Irish economy with particular reference to models of dependent development and the economic costs of partition. The paper concludes by suggesting alternative development strategies. It is argued that such strategies would provide a mechanism for challenging deeply embedded class and power relations, and the economic vulnerability generated by development strategies based on the attraction of global capital