Public opinion, politics and society in contemporary Ireland / Pat Lyons.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lyons, Pat.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ireland--Social conditions--20th century.

Ireland.

Social conditions.

Ireland--Politics and government--20th century.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

xiv, 288 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Dublin ; Portland, Or. : Irish Academic Press, 2008.

Summary:

This book is the first systematic study of opinion polling in the Republic of Ireland from its foundations in the early 1970s. Using a unique collection of opinion poll results this work explores how Irish society has changed since polling began and demonstrates what mass surveys can tell us about the great social, political and economic upheavals that have shaped contemporary Ireland. The key themes and questions examined in this book are: Public Opinion - how reliable are opinion polls in measuring public sentiments? Politics - how well do opinion polls predict elections results? Do high government and leader satisfaction ratings translate into greater electoral support? The Economy - has the Celtic Tiger changed Irish public opinion? Northern Ireland - have aspirations for a united Ireland disappeared with the peace process? The Liberal Agenda - has Irish society really transformed itself from a rigid conservative to a more tolerant liberal society? European Integration - how did the Irish public's overwhelming support for EU accession in 1973 evolve to rejection of the Nice Treaty in 2001? Have the Irish become increasingly disenchanted with Europe?

Using the largest set of opinion polls ever assembled this book demonstrates what commercial polls can validly and reliably tell us about Irish public opinion. The evidence presented shows that poll results do not speak for themselves. Using numerous examples this book debunks the myth that the Irish public have single views on key issues such as popular support for increased European integration, the future of Northern Ireland, or legalising abortion. The presence of different opinions on the same issue has major implications for our understanding of whether Irish society has become more liberal, less nationalist, or is experiencing a change of heart with regard to the EU. In contrast to previous work this book gives the voice of citizens centre stage in charting the emergence of contemporary Irish society.

Contents:

1 Public Opinion Data and Opinion Poll Design 22

2 Public Opinion Measurement and Questionnaire Design 39

3 The Electoral Record of Irish Opinion Polls 66

4 Satisfaction with the Government, the Taoiseach and Party Leaders 91

5 Public Opinion towards the Liberal Agenda 118

6 Public Opinion in the Republic of Ireland towards the Northern Ireland Question 150

7 Economic Opinion in Ireland and Left-Right Orientation 173

8 Irish Public Opinion towards the European Union 204

Appendix 1 Notes for Table 3: Confidence, Trust or Perceived Leadership Attributed to Irish Public Institutions and Media, 1981-2003 262.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [246]-261) and index.

ISBN:

0716529416

9780716529415

9780716529422

0716529424

OCLC:

193179307