Let’s dive into the interesting comparison of cultural shifts from the 1980s up to present day and the swing back to more conservative attitudes in Europe, Ireland, and the United States.

The 1980s were years of transformation for Ireland: a period of economic hardship, social change, and a renaissance of culture. Let us first discuss the economy at the time. 

From dramatically changing social times to the modernization of more traditional aspects, join me as we journey through the rich tapestry of recent history.

The recession of the 1980s deeply affected Irish society. High unemployment rates and emigration were common. Yet, it was also a time when the seeds of Ireland’s economic resurgence were sown. The rollout of progressive policies in the late ’80s set the stage for the Celtic Tiger era. As we entered the ’90s, a cultural revival took off. The economic boom sparked a wave of confidence and wealth. This decade also saw Irish artists, musicians, and writers gain success as a reflection of the vibrant cultural scene in Ireland. Think of groups such as U2 and The Cranberries or writers such as Roddy Doyle, whose works gained international acclaim. Ireland was changing rapidly as we moved into the new millennium.

The early 2000s featured internet access and the internationalization of cultures. The internet revolution connected Ireland to the world in ways unimaginable, from fashion to communication. The 2000s brought their own set of challenges to Ireland, the recession in 2008, more popularly known as the “Irish economic crisis,” marked a significant downturn in the nation’s economy. Before this crisis, Ireland had gone through a period of rapid economic growth, Called the  Celtic Tiger, from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s. This kind of unprecedented growth was generated through foreign direct investment along with attractive corporate tax rates and a thriving property market. 

The 2008 crisis greatly affected the Irish economy and Irish society. Employment dropped below five percent. The following years were the period for retrospect and rebuilding, which gave rise to resilience and innovation. The cultural shifts in Ireland continue to evolve under the tide of this change. It is relevant to underline that Ireland continues its cultural journey into the future. Ireland’s cultural identity is taking shape as it mixes traditional values with modern global influences.

Recent election results show that the Irish people are leaning towards centre-right politics, with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael coming out on top again. In the 2024 election, Fianna Fáil won 48 seats, while Fine Gael attained 38. On the left, the main opposition party, Sinn Féin, had a very strong performance with 39 seats, thus becoming the largest opposition party in the country. The voting preference had Fianna Fáil leading at 21.9%, while Fine Gael was coming in at 20.8% and Sinn Féin at 19%. The voter turnout was 59.7%, the lowest we have seen in over a hundred years. Since its foundation in 1926, Fianna Fáil has won governmental power several times. For the years that have passed, it occupied the position of Taoiseach several times, turning out to be an important figure in Irish politics, mostly governing in coalition with other parties or at times as a single-party government. Fianna Fáil has emerged as one of the most influential single parties throughout quite a significant period of Ireland’s history in terms of shaping the political landscape.

We see a noticeable swing back to conservative attitudes in Europe. Right-wing governments that have swept into power by gaining a majority or in coalition in Italy, Greece, and Sweden. The leader of the French right-wing opposition, Marine Le Pen, is likely to win the presidential elections of 2027,  this is what many political analysts believe looking at the current political climate. 

One of the iconic events of the 1970s in Ireland was the contraceptive train protest. On May 21, 1971, members of the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement embarked on a journey to Belfast, Northern Ireland, to purchase contraceptives.

This protest was in response to the ban on the importation and sale of contraceptives in the Republic of Ireland and marked an important moment for the movement. As the train came back to Connolly Station, demonstrators gathered chanting “let them through” while some of the women ingested the contraceptive pills to ensure authorities could not retrieve them. Contraceptives would not become legal until the Family Planning Act of 1979 passed, A look at Ireland shows the tremendous changes it has undergone in recent decades. Ireland was considered a conservative country with a high influence of Catholicism. Irish Constitution Article 41 and Irish society, in general, have traditionally been influenced by Catholic teachings on marriage. For a long time, the country held on to a conservative attitude toward divorce, which became legal only after a referendum in 1995, This was a decade of rising liberalisation and modernity. The opposition in the early days to divorce, for example, had the Church at the very moral forefront; these were truly conservative times with a huge upheld by religious ideals and morals.

The liberal political parties in Ireland, including the Labour Party and the Social Democrats, played a pivotal role in promoting marriage equality. They actively campaigned for the 2015 referendum, these parties highlighted principles such as social justice and equality.

The legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, passed by 62% of the turnout, and the repeal of the Eighth Amendment in 2018, prohibiting abortion, showed the movement toward liberalism. Even as the shift in values and views has taken place, there is still a conservative mindset concerning specific aspects in Ireland.

The same Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, the parties usually positioned as centrists or centre-right, are still very much guided by conservative precepts, particularly concerning social policy and family matters.

For example, while both parties supported the legalization of same-sex marriage and abortion, many members from both parties have voiced their concerns about the rate of change in society and how it might impact traditional family patterns, education, and cultural values.

The presence of rural constituencies, which generally uphold traditional values and maintain strong religious observance, has continued to be a determining factor in the parties’ policies on these issues. 

 Now, let’s discuss the United States. The 1980s and 1990s were marked by the rise of conservatism under President Ronald Reagan and the subsequent influence of the Religious Right. Reagan’s focus on the Christian Right significantly enhanced the movement’s power and strengthened its connection to the Republican Party. In the 1980 election, 67 percent of evangelical voters backed Reagan, and this support grew to 76 percent during his 1984 reelection campaign. By the end of his presidency, leaders of the Christian Right hailed him as one of the greatest presidents in American history. As a result, Reagan emerged as a symbol of hope for religious conservatives, although he did not initially enter politics complying with social conservatives; even during his tenure as governor, held some libertarian beliefs.

The 2000s and 2010s saw a push towards more progressive values, especially among younger generations. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of conservative attitudes, particularly among certain demographics and regions. And continue to grow as we have seen from this election cycle in the United States. With Donald Trump returning to the white house as the 47th president. His first term in office began in 2016 as the 45th president, the first president to be without government or military experience. Trump’s policy achievements encompassed significant transformations both nationally and internationally. He secured a series of long-desired conservative successes within the country, such as the largest corporate tax reductions in history, the removal of numerous environmental regulations, and a reconfiguration of the federal judiciary

America has had a significant impact on Europe across various domains, including culture and politics. Recently, there has been a noticeable trend among young men in the U.S. leaning towards more conservative views. Prominent figures like Elon Musk and Joe Rogan have publicly supported Donald Trump, with Musk even securing a position in Trump’s cabinet. Additionally, Musk has shown his support for several conservative parties in Europe, such as Germany’s AFD and the UK’s Reform Party.

The question arises: will Musk’s endorsements influence the electoral outcomes in these countries, potentially leading to victories for these parties and a resurgence of conservative movements across Europe?

Ireland is home to a variety of political parties, but one that is gaining prominence and distinguishing itself from the others is Aontú, a conservative republican party known for its strong pro-life stance.

Aontú mostly attracts those voters who believe Sinn Féin has abandoned its historical social conservatism. It has carved out a niche for itself among those disaffected by the direction of mainstream Irish politics, particularly on issues like abortion and Irish unity.

However the growth plans, the party still faces many challenges. Its visibility is very low compared to the major political parties. Besides, the firm stance of the party against abortion and generally socially conservative positions prevented it from gaining the confidence of a broad section of the Irish electorate.

Aontú has gained some local success but remains a small party in the large scheme of things.

The influence of conservatism in Ireland has significantly shaped the nation’s moral, social, and political landscape. Although it previously held a dominant position in various policy areas, its impact has diminished in recent years. Nonetheless, conservatism continues to play a notable role in discussions surrounding issues of identity, values, and the future trajectory of Ireland.

It can be said that social conservatives remain attached to issues related to family values, the role of the Catholic Church in Irish society, and the development of policies supporting the traditional family institution.

In practice, liberalism has been implemented to make Ireland more liberal and progressive in many aspects, especially on the aspects of social policy and economic integration; however, liberalism is still facing enormous challenges, especially in the spheres of housing and rising nationalist sentiments

Right-wing Irish nationalism has been uncommon in the Republic of Ireland, represented primarily by small and often short-lived organisations In this respect, left-wing nationalism, in the form of republican and anti-colonial principles, has been the dominant form of nationalism in Irish political life.

The connection between Ireland and UK conservatism is deeply rooted in their shared historical context, notably through Ireland’s experience of colonialism under British governance and the impact of Unionism in Northern Ireland

Although both nations have historically exhibited conservative traits, particularly regarding social values and political frameworks, Ireland’s path has diverged from that of the UK over the last century, especially following its independence and the subsequent shift towards a more liberal and socially progressive agenda

In the Republic of Ireland, modern conservatism has evolved into a more nationalist and socially conservative framework, distinguishing it from the British Conservative Party. Recent political events in both countries. such as Ireland’s adoption of social liberalism and the United Kingdom’s choice to pursue Brexit, highlights these changing dynamics.

The rise of Sinn Féin to a major political force has broken the monopoly that has long been held by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The party’s mix of nationalist rhetoric and progressive policies on issues like housing reform, health investment, and social justice has appealed to younger voters.

With immigration and Ireland becoming a multicultural country. This brings possibilities for a new type of cultural conservatism.

The resurgence of conservatism in the UK is not predetermined it might well occur when the right concoction of conditions is met. With a mixture of economic hardship and cultural conflict. With the successful rebranding, conservative values can once more become a powerful driving force However, the movement yet faces serious popular discontent, generational divides, and even competition from a renewed Labour Party. The final direction in which conservatism will go in the UK depends a lot on how the philosophy will adapt to the rapidly changing social context.

The revival of conservatism in Europe, exemplified by parties such as Germany’s AFD and Spain’s Vox, has demonstrated a clear discontent with traditional leftist policies. In Sweden, the right-wing Sweden Democrats also appeared to gain significant support during the 2022 elections.

The consequences of such a conservative mindset are huge, considering the trend in these regions. It signals a rise of nationalism and antiglobalization in Europe, while in Ireland, it’s a tug-of-war between traditional values and contemporary liberalism. Meanwhile, the trend in the United States signals deeper cultural and political polarization.

We are still observing these cultural shifts, and it is essential to understand the factors that drive these changes. Elements such as economic uncertainty, immigration patterns, and the impact of social media are among the key contributors to the emergence of conservative movements.

Now we would like to hear from you. 

We invite your thoughts on this matter, what is your perception of these conservative movements? Do you see them as a temporary trend, or do you believe they represent a more enduring shift?

@Critch & TC