The implosion of the Soviet Union and the end of the Warsaw Pact was a time of opportunity and opportunists. Quick off the mark was a one Fukuyama, who wrote “The End of History” a runaway bestseller.
Communism and Socialism were dead. Neo-liberalism, once known as Manchester-Liberalism was now enthroned and would reign forever. Those over whom it reigned would be free to dine at the Ritz, there would be no such thing as a free lunch, and shelter from the reign either by health and welfare legislation or trade union action would go the way of the Dodo.
Reagan and Thatcher, Henry Kissinger and Pinochet, Mary Harney and others had embraced those beliefs of capitalism, red in tooth and claw, before the defeat of the Red Menace. But now they envisaged blue skies and calm, unruffled water for ever and ever. Fukuyama may have used the word “end” to mean “purpose” or “aim” .Certainly he claims so now.
I’m no scholar but I think history rolls on like Ol’ Man River, and don’ say nothin’ , but think it should be studied both for its intrinsic interest and the lessons that can be drawn from it. Otherwise, like Ol’ Man River, it might burst its banks and cause us no end of bother. Witness New Orleans.
Which brings me to Ruairi Quinn. Ruairi, like the Ragged-Schooled Philanthropist, Sir Bob Geldof, Is a distinguished Old Boy of Blackrock. Like Bob, he is a quondam radical, who at UCD was nicknamed “Ho Chi Quinn.” Historically informed readers will know that Ho Chi Minh was inspired by the heroism of Terence Mac Swiney and other Irish Republicans in 1920, as were many other strugglers against Imperialism. I understand that some of Ruairi Quinn’s family were active Republicans.
Ruairi Quinn, as Minister for Education, downgraded the teaching of History in Irish Schools . Is It really surprising that the word “Fukuyama” sprung to mind?
It leaves young minds open to every quack, charlatan and cheap commentator going. Indeed I think Ruairi may have himself been a victim. For, in his memoir “Straight Left” he repeats the canard that the Second World War was described in Ireland as “The Emergency.”
The facts is that the situation in September 1939 presented a danger to Ireland and, in order to deny the belligerents (or in Britain’s case, faux belligerents) any pretext for attacking our liberated territory, Dail Eireann declared an Emergency within that territory, and suspended some civil rights guaranteed by its recently established Constitution.
England has waged many bloody, and discreditable, laws of repression which, for discreditable reasons, she has deemed Emergencies. In some instances she makes forgivable Napoleon’s gibe that she is a
Nation of Shopkeepers.
Imagine the Insurance premiums English Tea Planters, Rubber and Tin- Extractors in Malaya would have to pay If her campaigns were described as Wars?
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