Trinity Political Scientist Publishes Book on Political Corruption

May 14, 2012

TCD political scientist Dr Elaine Byrne’s book Political Corruption in Ireland 1922-2010: A Crooked Harp was launched recently by Michael McDowell SC, former Attorney General and Minister for Justice. The launch took place in O’Connell House in Dublin which once housed the rooms of the champion of free speech, Daniel O'Connell.

The book maps the decline in standards since the inauguration of Irish independence in 1922, to the loss of Irish economic sovereignty in 2010 and the report of the Moriarty Corruption Tribunal in 2011. It argues that the definition of corruption is an evolving one. As the nature of the state changes, so too does the type of corruption.

 
Dr Elaine Byrne with former Attorney General and Minister for Justice,
Michael McDowell SC

New evidence is presented on the early institutional development of the state. Irish public life was motivated by an ethos which rejected patronage. Original research provides fresh insights into how the policies of economic protectionalism and discretionary decision-making led to eight Tribunal Inquiries.

The emergence of state capture within political decision-making is examined by analysing political favouritism towards the beef industry. The degree to which unorthodox links between political donations impacted on policy choices which exacerbated the depth of Ireland’s economic collapse is also considered.

Political Corruption in Ireland 1922-2010: A Crooked Harp published by Manchester Press, is now on its second print run and will appeal to students and scholars of Irish politics, corruption theory, governance, public policy and political financing.