Sir, – As many people do, a letter writer regards the dominant political powers of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael as “conservative behemoths” and “essentially centre-right” in their outlook.
I am amazed at how this characterisation is so widely accepted (Letters, August 10th).
Right-wing views on economics tend to advocate low levels of social welfare and tax rates, with work thus incentivised by the fact that one keeps most of what is earned. Macroeconomic right-wing perspectives are characterised by avoiding borrowing, and “living within our means” nationally and individually.
The general idea is that the state owes you relatively little other than an opportunity to earn a livelihood and so provide for yourself.
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Most conservatives even advocate low rates of taxation on high salaries and, quite often, a flat tax such that the rate remains constant no matter how much is earned. Financial motivation to work and earn more thus never declines, and a belief that the proceeds may benefit others by being spent – the trickle down – is common.
Nothing like this is evident in the Ireland which the two large political parties have produced. We have roughly the most progressive and redistributive tax system in existence. Our national debt is over €40,000 per person. Any aversion to borrowing is certainly hard to discern.
Our social welfare rates remain among the highest in the world.
Religiously conservative views in the modern world seem to largely involve strongly held views around reproductive rights, on sexuality and identity issues.
It is fair to say that our current generation of political leaders grew up in a country within which the church was profoundly influential.
They have largely stared down and deconstructed this apparatus of control. Legislating to allow abortion and gay marriage are among their major achievements, fulfilling pledges made while campaigning.
One can also identify staunch military support as a trait common to right-leaning or conservative thinking. Our own military is not a significant area of government focus and our expenditure on it seems remarkably low.
Most international commentators consider it to be inadequate and a security risk.
One might also cite a tendency toward separatism or nationalism as a key conservative trait – in the modern world, Brexit and wall-building as bulwarks against immigration are examples.
Our putative “conservative behemoths” could scarcely be more pro-European, more globalised or EU integrated.
Finally one might look at the international colleagues our leaders identity with. Essentially no member of our large parties would be likely to express admiration for the right-wing politicians of the modern world.
A kinship with the leaders of Scandinavian countries is far more evident that any link to those of Hungary, Belarus or Russia.
It seems that the conventional wisdom remains that we have right of centre governments. But if I was a person of strong conservative views and values, I would be inclined to ask, after about a century of such administrations, what these two parties had done to warrant such a description. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN O’BRIEN,
Kinsale,
Co Cork.