The good, the bad and the cynical – how to get ahead in Irish politics It might appear strange that a 16th-century Italian political philosopher should provide us with a roadmap to political power in Ireland, but as John Drennan's tongue-in-cheek account Paddy Machiavelli makes clear, the gap between the parish pump and the Renaissance palazzo is a narrow one indeed. In fact, observe the Irish body politic for long enough and the lines between the Florentine's faceless hero and our own Dáil aristocrats begin to blur ever so slightly. A veteran of countless Leinster House power plays, Drennan takes inspiration from Machiavelli's The Prince, dispensing invaluable advice for the aspiring politician, such as how to cultivate the cloak of being an 'ordinary decent skin', how to choose your scapegoats carefully, and how to be a straight-talker whilst embracing vagueness. This hilarious account of the compromises that the Irish politician has to make in order to seize power is not just a 'celebration' of the politics of cynical amorality; it's a timely reminder of the role we play in choosing our leaders. In this wildly entertaining book, celebrated Sunday Independent columnist John Drennan is at his best. The definitive guide to success in Irish politics, Paddy Machiavelli will have you laughing and crying all the way to the ballot box. 'Drennan's storytelling style is stage Irish, and like a culchie Cicero, he laces his brilliance with bile. It is the politics of Paddy and in the tradition of Hall's Pictorial Weekly via Craggy Island.' Gerard Howlin, The Sunday Times 'There is a fierce intelligence and fierce independence at work here. No one escapes his gimlet eye, and he brings to the whole bizarre ecosystem of the Dáil a unique perspective, that of the insider who remains resolutely outside.' Brendan O'Connor, The Sunday Independent 'If Paddy really wants to know the story, generally he asks Drennan first.' Lise Hand, Irish Independent 'Drennan is one of the best pundits in Ireland. He has an understanding of politics that is both instinctive and intellectual.' Pat Leahy, The Sunday Business Post '[Drennan] reads the political game like the sort of bookie who always leaves Cheltenham with a full satchel.' Ivan Yates, Newstalk
From the debates of the 1950s that were strikingly similar to what we face today – struggles against bankruptcy, emigration and abuse of power by the State – through the wars in the 70s and 80s over divorce and abortion, to the Jacobean dramas surrounding the fall of Haughey in the 1990s, this essential book finally traces the fall of the first Republic via the tragic-comic dénouement of the Cowen era and the first breaths of hope provided by a new administration. John Drennan's Standing by the Republic captures the fascinating story of Ireland's evolution in the seven decades since the end of the war and encapsulates the culture that shaped these moments of national drama.
From penalty points to water charges, funding cuts to tax hikes, The Great Betrayal is a cutting assessment of the upheavals, egos and scraps that shaped the 31st Dáil by Ireland's most sagacious political pundit-turned-political operatorAs the curtain falls on this government's term in office, it has fallen drastically out of favour, something that is hard to believe if we cast our minds back just a few years to 2011, when Fine Gael and Labour rode a wave of populist sentiment all the way to Dáil Eireann. No Irish government has ever enjoyed a larger majority – and none has ever so comprehensively squandered its mandate. How did the Coalition fall so far so fast?Written with the unique insight of one of the most original observers of Irish politics, The Great Betrayal provides an entertaining and enlightening narrative of a government that, in the eyes of many, betrayed the hopes of the Irish electorate for a democratic revolution, almost immediately after being elected with a thumping majority.The Great Betrayal is required reading for anyone wondering how it all went wrong and where we might go from here.
Despite Russia’s relatively small global economic footprint, it has engaged in more interventions than any other U.S. competitor since the end of the Cold War. In this report, the authors assess when, where, and why Russia conducts military interventions by analyzing the 25 interventions that Russia has undertaken since 1991, including detailed case studies of the 2008 Russia-Georgia War and Moscow’s involvement in the ongoing Syrian civil war.
Entertaining and revealing, this unique insider's account of the isolated little soap-opera of the Dail will help you to understand the intrinsic nature, the flaws, strengths, traits and characteristics of the cute hoors and pious protesters in this dazzling kaleidoscope of the Great Irish Politics Game.
DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF NETWORK MARKETINGAre you contemplating or currently active in network marketing? Are you challenged by other people's opinions or self-induced doubts? If you are delaying or second-guessing your commitment to network marketing, read on to discover how countless people are enjoying the fruits of networking marketing, including lifestyles of freedom, personal development, and being an inspiration to others.Author and accomplished network marketing expert John Drennan has experienced many of the gifts of network marketing over the past 25 years. In his debut book, he shares his study of the deeper experiences for those who reach the Tao of Network Marketing.Wherever you are on your path of network marketing, this book will empower you to:?Assess your readiness for the journey?Clarify the core system of the business?Commit more deeply to your network marketing experience?Cement the importance of personal development on the results you attain?Uncover rewards others may view as "too good to be true"?Hone the skills necessary for success
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