Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2009-5
From Peripherality and Conflict to Consensus-Based Success? Applying a Foucauldian Perspective on Power and Discourse to the Irish Model of Social Partnership
According to a widely held view, Ireland's economic success story in the 1990s is attributable to the social partnership process. An extensive supply side consensus between the actors is regarded as key to its success. However, in spite of its popularity, consensus has neither taken shape as an analytical concept nor has its creation been thoroughly scrutinised. In fact, the question remains unanswered as to how and under what conditions initially antagonistic actors began to consider the same (supply side) solution as the only possible route. Based on a Foucauldian perspective on power and discourse, this article examines the creation and structure of popular unanimity within the Irish social partnership model in order to reposition consensus from an explanans to an explanandum.
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