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Political Economy Of Secession: Lessons From The Early Years Of The Irish Free State

Author

Listed:
  • Kenny, Seán
  • McLaughlin, Eoin

Abstract

We apply insights from the political economy of secession to analyse the early years of the Irish Free State (IFS). The IFS was fortuitous in a debt settlement that enabled it to begin its existence debt free while also receiving financial assistance to quell civil unrest. Yet the IFS was unable to continue to provide the welfare spending inherited from the old regime thereby exacerbating inequality. The IFS also maintained a sterling peg, which led to a milder experience of the depression era. Ultimately, however, the benefits of independence were not forthcoming in the early years of the IFS.

Suggested Citation

  • Kenny, Seán & McLaughlin, Eoin, 2022. "Political Economy Of Secession: Lessons From The Early Years Of The Irish Free State," National Institute Economic Review, National Institute of Economic and Social Research, vol. 261, pages 48-78, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:nierev:v:261:y:2022:i::p:48-78_4
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Eoin McLaughlin & Paul Sharp & Christian Volmar Skovsgaard & Christian Vedel, 2024. "Milk Wars: Cooperation, Contestation, Conflict and the Irish War of Independence," Working Papers 0272, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    2. Kenny, Seán, 2024. "Irish GDP Since Independence," Lund Papers in Economic History 258, Lund University, Department of Economic History.
    3. McLaughlin, Darragh & McLaughlin, Eoin & Kenny, Seán, 2025. "Taking a punt: Monetary experimentation and the Irish macroeconomic crisis of 1955-56," Accountancy, Economics, and Finance Working Papers 2025-01, Heriot-Watt University, Department of Accountancy, Economics, and Finance.
    4. Kenny, Sean, 2024. "Irish GDP since independence," QUCEH Working Paper Series 24-05, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Centre for Economic History.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N14 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: 1913-
    • N44 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: 1913-

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