Full Description
This book shines a light on the contribution of the Irish diaspora to the economic development of Ireland, encompassing both northern Ireland and the republic. In particular, it focuses on the understudied role of Irish American entrepreneurs and businesses in generating growth and investment in the Irish economies from partition to the end of the twentieth century.
The book traces the relationship between members of the Irish diaspora and their home territories through a political and economic lens, demonstrating how the initial protectionism of the two Irelands immediately after partition gave way to market-based, outward-facing policies that encouraged strengthened business links with Irish emigrants, particularly in the US. The book explores various facets of the economic potential of the Irish diaspora and the ways that governments in northern and the republic of Ireland sought to maximize this. It also offers some comparative insights on the economic policy of the two Irelands over time, and discusses how the recent economic history of the Irish diaspora still resonates in the relationship between Ireland and the US today. This book will be of interest to a wide range of scholars in economic and business history, Irish history, and diaspora studies.
Contents
Introduction.- Part One - Ireland and its Diaspora from the partition to the 1960s.- Chapter I: Emigration and Diaspora: Ireland's complex attitude.- Chapter II: Irish-American dollars: a coveted source of foreign exchange.- Chapter III: An under-exploited diaspora market.- Part Two - The economic policy shift in the 1950s and the use of the Irish-American business elite.- Chapter IV: The economy of the North East of the island of Ireland: a short-lived prosperity.- Chapter V: The Republic of Ireland: from protectionism to economic openness.- Chapter VI: Formalizing the links with the Irish-American business elite.- Part Three - The Growing Economic and Political Influence of Irish-American Businessmen over the Two Irelands.- Chapter VII: Irish-American businessmen and the rise of the "Celtic Tiger".- Chapter VIII: A Double-edged relationship .- Chapter IX: The Northern Irish Conflict: Irish-American Leaders Working for Peace.- Chapter X: The Diaspora to the rescue of Ireland in the grip of a unprecedented financial crisis.- Part 4 - Ireland and the diaspora entrepreneurial elite: partnership or interference? .- Chapter XI: Entrepreneurship: A long-overlooked option in Ireland.- Chapter XIII: The Fine Gael administration and the diaspora: a shared commitment to promoting entrepreneurship.- Chapter XIII: Diaspora business elites: an overly pervasive presence? .- Conclusion.
