Originally published in 1936, this book provides an accurate and critical analysis of government in the Irish Free State, its principles, structure, philosophy and direction. It discusses clearly and impartially not only the failure of the Treaty settlement but also the electoral system, the legislature, the increase of executive power and the growth of administrative law and justice.
1. The Evolution of the Irish Free State 2. The Anglo-Irish Treaty 3. The Work of the Constituent Assembly 4. The Structure of the Constitution 5. The Electoral System 6. The Legislature 7. The Procedure of the Legislature 8. The Referendum and the Initiative 9. The Executive 10. The Ministers – Their Political Role 11. The Ministers – Their Administrative Role 12. Internal Administration 13. Local Government 14. Finance and Financial Relations 15. External Affairs 16. Political Parties 17. The Judicial System 18. The Political and Constitutional Development of the Free State.
Biography
Tipperary born historian Nicholas Mansergh (1910 – 1991) wrote extensively on the process of decolonisation, the prelude to it, and its aftermath. Well known works include The Irish Question 1840-1921, and The Commonwealth Experience. In 1953, he became Smuts Professor of Commonwealth History in Cambridge, and was Master of St. John’s College from 1969 to 1979. He was also editor in chief of the 12 volume record of official documents on India: the Transfer of Power 1942-47.
Reviews of the original edition of The Irish Free State
‘The author of this book is an Irishman, who keeps his head clear, and has the requisite knowledge of political theories, ideas and systems…to make his book one of the most interesting that has yet been written about the political evolution of the Irish state.’ Irish Times
‘…such a book has long been wanted…this book cannot fail to be of great interest to all students of modern political development.’ International Affairs
‘A work which gives a very tolerably just and sane view of the position in 1934…He has mastered his Irish material fairly and interprets it sensibly…he presents his data fully and fairly for the reader’s judgement.’ Times Literary Supplement.
