Politics in the Republic of Ireland

Building on the success of previous editions, Politics in the Republic of Ireland continues to provide an authoritative introduction to all aspects of government and politics in this seventh edition. Written by some of the foremost experts on Irish politics, it explains, analyses and interprets the background to Irish government and contemporary political processes. It devotes chapters to every aspect of contemporary Irish government and politics, including the political parties and elections, the constitution, deliberative democracy, referendums, the Taoiseach and the governmental system, women and politics, the position of the Dáil, and Ireland's place within the European Union. Bringing readers up to date with the very latest developments, especially with the upheaval in the Irish party system and the implications of recent liberalising referendums, the seventh edition combines substance with a highly readable style, providing an accessible book that meets the needs of all those who are interested in knowing how politics and government operate in Ireland.

John Coakley is a fellow of the Geary Institute in University College Dublin, and an emeritus professor there. Michael Gallagher is emeritus professor of comparative politics at Trinity College, University of Dublin. Eoin O'Malley is an associate professor in the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. Theresa Reidy is a senior lecturer in the Department of Government and Politics at University College Cork.

Chapter 1 The foundations of statehood - John Coakley (UCD) Chapter 2 Society and political culture - John Coakley (UCD) and Theresa Reidy (UCC) Chapter 3 Politics, the constitution and the judiciary - Michael Gallagher (TCD) Chapter 4 The electoral system and its political consequences - Michael Gallagher (TCD) Chapter 5 Parties and the party system - Liam Weeks (UCC) Chapter 6 Voting behaviour - Kevin Cunningham (TUD) and Michael Marsh (TCD) Chapter 7 Direct and deliberative democracy - Theresa Reidy (UCC) and Jane Suiter (DCU) Chapter 8 Parliament - Catherine Lynch (HO) and Muiris MacCarthaigh (QUB) Chapter 9 Women in politics - Fiona Buckley (UCC) and Yvonne Galligan (TUD) Chapter 10 The government and the Taoiseach - Eoin O'Malley (DCU) and Shane Martin (UE) Chapter 11 Interest groups and the policy-making process - Gary Murphy (DCU) Chapter 12 The media and politics - Kevin Rafter (DCU) and Dawn Wheatley (DCU) Chapter 13 Northern Ireland and the British dimension - John Coakley (UCD) Chapter 14 Ireland and the European Union - Mary C. Murphy (UCC) and John O'Brennan (MU)