How has Fianna Fail adapted to changes in Irish society since 1945? (Paperback)

Seminar paper from the year 2001 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Western Europe, grade: 1,0 (A), Queen's University Belfast (School of Politics), course: HS: Irish Politics, 19 entries in the bibliography, language: English, comment: Irish society has changed more in the last three decades leading up to the 21st century than in the whole of the previous one hundred years - focussing on the influence of the Catholic church, the Northern Ireland Issue in the Republic and the role of the women in society and politics. How Fianna Fail, Irelands most successful political party adapted to these changes, will be discussed. A regular comparison with the social development in Northern Ireland will complete the topic., abstract: Irish society has changed more in the last three decades leading up to the 21st century than in the whole of the previous one hundred years, going back to the mid nineteenth century. A poor and rural, deeply conservative and Roman Catholic country has become urbanised, industrialised, and one of the leading economies in Europe. This process of economic growth and social transformation, together with the establishment of a free republican and democratic order, has made a much more modern nation out of a country where the "primitive hatred of government" had a very long tradition. The rapid expansion of educational opportunities in Ireland has produced a large middle class, the opportunities for women have increased and political and social changes have led to a more open, pluralistic nation. The acceptance of views and behaviour patterns, which are often not in line with the dominant religious orthodoxy or political objective are another great achievement of this society. Still this country went through serious economic difficulties, high rates of unemployment and inflation. Poverty has been produced by economic change and the gap between the younger, better educated, who benefit directly from economic modernisation