The Fear of the Irish

Ireland has posed the greatest problem to the future of the European Union by repeatedly refusing to ratify the Lisbon Treaty, which would give the EU’s central governing bodies more power. But the Irish voted once again this weekend, to a different tune – in overwhelming favor of the treaty. Why the turnabout?

Ireland’s fervent opposition to the Lisbon Treaty and the streamlining of EU powers in the past stemmed from the nation's fierce pride and desire to remain sovereign, free from the possibility of laws that would undermine its longstanding Catholic foundations. But when economic hardship sweeps over a continent like the plague, pride can easily be overtaken by fear.

"It's not a vote inspired out of hope or any great affection for where the European project is heading," treaty naysayer and Libertas Party leader Declan Ganley said. "It's a vote inspired by fear, fear of job losses, fear of economic ruin which is what the yes side were promising and of course a fire hosing of resources and funds to the yes side in this campaign.

That the Irish have been struck by fear may not be an altogether bad thing -- their economy is sinking into oblivion, as gross domestic product is set to shrink to a record 8 percent and unemployment could soon be three times its June 2008 level. The stability that accompanies cooperation with the European Union is largely economic, and as countries like France and Germany lift themselves out of recession, it's become clear for Ireland that the support of the EU is the best shot they've got at recovery.