Publications

Politische, wirtschaftliche und soziale Rahmenbedingungen

Politische, wirtschaftliche und soziale Rahmenbedingungen

The evidence-based policies that can actually fix the immigration system.

We live at a time when almost every election in a major democracy is a momentous one. A time when the liberal global order, the welfare state, economy and even the very foundations of liberal democracy itself often seem to be on the ballot paper.

Our colleagues at the FES Regional Office for International Cooperation in Vienna present the newest edition of the FES Cooperation & Peace flagship project, the Security Radar 2025. The report was presented at the recent Munich Security Conference.

Security Radar 2025 is the fourth edition of a representative public opinion poll first conducted in 2019, then in 2022 and again in 2023 in several countries across the OSCE space. It is a survey capturing citizens’ attitudes on a broad array of foreign and security policy issues. The focus of this year’s edition is once more Russia’s war in Ukraine and the European response.

Ireland stands at a critical juncture as shifting political dynamics and discourse reshape its democratic landscape. This report explores whether far-right rhetoric has begun to influence mainstream political narratives and delves into the perspectives of young Irish men susceptible to reactionary politics, examining their values, frustrations, and openness to such rhetoric. Through comprehensive discourse analysis, ethnographic research, and insights from senior stakeholders, the study sheds light on the factors shaping this evolving landscape and the challenges it presents for Ireland’s democratic discourse.

On October 23, 2024, the FES launched its latest report, “Who Does (Not) Vote in Ireland?”, as part of the Unequal Democracies series. The event was moderated by Anna Kraft, Programme Manager for FES Ireland, and provided an in-depth look at voter turnout in Ireland, illustrating a nuanced picture of non-voting patterns across demographics.

Voting is a crucial factor in a democracy. This paper analyses voter turnout trends in Ireland, particularly focusing on the sharp decrease since the 1990s. Understanding voter participation helps identify key factors contributing to this decline, which are critical for guiding policy reforms.

Ireland has comparatively low collective bargaining coverage in the European Union, making the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages particularly significant. This report reviews the policy and practice on workplace access for trade union representatives in Ireland and contrasts it with approaches in countries like Australia, Germany, Romania, and Sweden.