Seán Lemass and the Nadir of Protectionism

Abstract

This paper considers the move to protectionism in Ireland with the advent of the new government in 1932. Using material from an unpublished paper by Lemass the paper shows the logical basis of the protectionist policy adopted: designed as a means of increasing employment and possible development. This paper then places the collapse of protectionism in the late 1950s within the context of a general failure of protection to provide for development and a mismanaged macro-policy, leading to the acceptance of outward looking policies.