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ABSTRACT
Democratic institutions were seriously challenged across Europe between 1917 and 1939. In 1920, most European states were parliamentary democracies, by 1939 the majority had become authoritarian. However, some states weathered the crises they faced and successfully maintained democracy. There is a significant literature on democratic breakdown, but considerable attention has now been given to those that survived. This paper revisits the question of democratic survival by focussing on the Irish Free State and its experience when compared with other European states. It argues that while the Irish Free State was fragile in a comparative context, sharing many of the challenges associated with breakdown, it also showed considerable resilience. Various factors associated with survival and breakdown are critically assessed to explain the positive Irish outcome.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 Within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, it is necessary to distinguish between the two islands of Britain and Ireland, which I have done in this reformulation. Colley (Citation1992) makes this distinction explicit in her study of Britishness.
2 I would like to acknowledge the suggestions from one of the readers in respect of this section.
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Notes on contributors
Brian Girvin
Brian Girvin is Professor of Comparative Politics (Emeritus), University of Glasgow and Honorary Professor of Politics, University of Glasgow.