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Political economy of secession: Lessons from the early years of the Irish Free State

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  • Kenny, Sean
  • 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, whilst 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, Sean & McLaughlin, Eoin, 2022. "Political economy of secession: Lessons from the early years of the Irish Free State," QUCEH Working Paper Series 22-05, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Centre for Economic History.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:qucehw:202205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ireland; economic history; independence; secession;
    All these keywords.

    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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