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IR - establishing a national identity
Following similar patterns to Victorian morals and philosophy, the promotion of amateur sport and literature arts in social life carried cultural nationalism.
By the 1920s, armed struggle had replaced parliamentary activity, but the GAA and GL had remained active and popular. The following two decades would show the importance of sports in de Valera's policy of making IR completely sovereign. -
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IR - stagnating cultural identity and activity
From a sporting point of view, the GAA remained as important to Irish society, experiencing no change whatsoever. The question of international representation was however about to be questioned, as international competitions were being set up.
From an artistic point of view, the neutral policy kept Ireland from experiencing much of creativity turmoil taking place in continental Europe. -
UK - Beginning of anti-establishment youth culture
As consumerism and individualism were becoming the norm, youth movements defied the established order and questioned social norms.
Within families and neighborhoods, social order changed as well. Political involvement and culture were much less important. -
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Globalisation and consumerism
Capitalism had already been integrated in the economical policies of the Irish and British governments in the late 1920s - even though more significantly in BR). After WWII, capitalisation and globalisation of economics were to become standard.
In GB, consumerism was a way for the gvt to increase production, while the electorate demanded an increased standard of living. -
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UK - Nationalisation of industries
The nationalisation of industries is particularly interesting as we study social policies.
In the case of GB it was a way to face the fall of the Empire and to deal with the unemployment issue. -
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US culture and the British Islands
With the establishment of the Marshall Plan and the ever growing power of the US, cultural consequences were observed in the British Islands. To which point is what we aim to discuss in some parts of this thesis. -
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The era of the individual
Because of mass consumerism, the individual became more and more important from the 1950s on. It was observable in the policies of the British and Irish government.
The focus on the group, the nation, which had characterised Irish politics since the mid 19th century was no longer relevant. Individual effort for the sake of economic growth was then demanded.
Again, the idea of a union ruling over the British Empire had disappeared with its decline and fall, questioning Britishness as a whole. -
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NI - Conflicting national identities
Caused by sectarian issues, the Northern Irish Troubles would cause more than 3,000 casualties and a trauma that is still to be dealt with by local populations.
The national identities clashing in those "Troubles" date back from centuries, but were still expressed through modern mediums.