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Enough is Enough: How to Build a New Republic by Fintan O'Toole
The Republic of Ireland, which declared itself in 1949, allowed the Catholic Church to dominate its civil society and education system. Investment by American and European companies, and a welcoming tax regime, created the 'Celtic Tiger' of the 1990s. That brief burst of good fortune was destroyed by a corrupt political class which encouraged a wild property boom, leaving the country almost bankrupt. What Ireland needs now is a programme of real change. It needs to become a fully modern republic in fact as well as name. Politicians have been let get away with murder, and there is a fatalistic sense that nothing can change. The country needs to encourage participation in, and oversight and knowledge of politics, to make people feel that they have a right to challenge the old party machines and to make a difference. It is their country, after all.
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First published October 28, 2010
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About the author
Fintan O'Toole
60 books345 followersFintan O'Toole is a columnist, assistant editor and drama critic for The Irish Times. O'Toole was born in Dublin and was partly educated at University College Dublin. He has written for the Irish Times since 1988 and was drama critic for the New York Daily News from 1997 to 2001. He is a literary critic, historical writer and political commentator, with generally left-wing views. He was and continues to be a strong critic of corruption in Irish politics, in both the Haughey era and continuing to the present.
O'Toole has criticised what he sees as negative attitudes towards immigration in Ireland, the state of Ireland's public services, growing inequality during Ireland's economic boom, the Iraq War and the American military's use of Shannon Airport, among many other issues. In 2006, he spent six months in China reporting for The Irish Times. In his weekly columns in The Irish Times, O'Toole opposed the IRA's campaign during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fintan_O...
O'Toole has criticised what he sees as negative attitudes towards immigration in Ireland, the state of Ireland's public services, growing inequality during Ireland's economic boom, the Iraq War and the American military's use of Shannon Airport, among many other issues. In 2006, he spent six months in China reporting for The Irish Times. In his weekly columns in The Irish Times, O'Toole opposed the IRA's campaign during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fintan_O...
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 13, 2012
In Enough is Enough Fintan O'Toole turns his attention to what he sees at the core problems at the heart of Ireland’s present woes and what needs to happen to rebuilt a new republic fit for purpose in the twenty-first century. Split into two parts, in the first half of the book he argues that there are five myths that shape how Ireland functions – these are 1) that Ireland operates as a Republic, 2) that people are politically represented, 3) that the Dail functions as a parliamentary democracy, 4) that every decent service was delivered by charity and through the church rather than by the state, 5) that Ireland is a wealthy country. In each chapter, he reveals through polemical argument how each of these supposed truths are in fact self-delusions; that there is in fact deep flaws in the nature of Irish political democracy that require fundamental redress. In the second half of the book, he sets out five ‘decencies’ that should underpin the ideals of new republic. These are the decencies of security, health, education, equality and citizenship. In an appendix he sets out 50 suggestions for immediate actions.
Enough is Enough is an engaging read. O’Toole writes with passion and at a level that is easy to follow. The argument is polemical and forceful, and he makes good use of sources and data to back-up his contentions. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it does feel a little rushed, but clearly this is a book trying to tap into and react to the zeitgeist. And he makes a convincing case that there are a number of problems with how the Irish political system functions and the ideals that underpin its operation that do need revisiting and revision. However, whilst he sets out the ways in which he would like reform, it is often at a quite conceptual or abstract level. Where there are specific suggestions, these often lack sufficient detail as to what changes would need to happen and their consequences. At a more general level, it is also not clear where the impetus and drive is going to come from to enact the kinds of changes he feels are necessary – it is certainly unlikely to come from the present political classes. In this sense, the book sets out a broad vision that provides a framing for a more detailed debate, but does not quite set out the road map he wishes for in his opening chapter, nor the mechanisms needed to shift citizens from the present map to his new one.
More broadly, politics and ideals, only gets us so far. Building a new republic will not simply consist of reconstituting the political base of society and hoping all else flows from that process. It is clear, to me at least, that we also need to rethink the Irish economic model predicated as it is on a form of neoliberalism. In other words, the book would have been more powerful if it had been widened to re-envisioning the broader political economy of the country. Clearly, setting out such a new vision would have been a more challenging task, but one that we undoubtedly need to undertake. That said, the book is nonetheless an important and timely contribution to the on-going debate about Ireland’s future and it deserves to be read and debated.
Enough is Enough is an engaging read. O’Toole writes with passion and at a level that is easy to follow. The argument is polemical and forceful, and he makes good use of sources and data to back-up his contentions. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it does feel a little rushed, but clearly this is a book trying to tap into and react to the zeitgeist. And he makes a convincing case that there are a number of problems with how the Irish political system functions and the ideals that underpin its operation that do need revisiting and revision. However, whilst he sets out the ways in which he would like reform, it is often at a quite conceptual or abstract level. Where there are specific suggestions, these often lack sufficient detail as to what changes would need to happen and their consequences. At a more general level, it is also not clear where the impetus and drive is going to come from to enact the kinds of changes he feels are necessary – it is certainly unlikely to come from the present political classes. In this sense, the book sets out a broad vision that provides a framing for a more detailed debate, but does not quite set out the road map he wishes for in his opening chapter, nor the mechanisms needed to shift citizens from the present map to his new one.
More broadly, politics and ideals, only gets us so far. Building a new republic will not simply consist of reconstituting the political base of society and hoping all else flows from that process. It is clear, to me at least, that we also need to rethink the Irish economic model predicated as it is on a form of neoliberalism. In other words, the book would have been more powerful if it had been widened to re-envisioning the broader political economy of the country. Clearly, setting out such a new vision would have been a more challenging task, but one that we undoubtedly need to undertake. That said, the book is nonetheless an important and timely contribution to the on-going debate about Ireland’s future and it deserves to be read and debated.
November 9, 2012
While not as magnificent as the critical and political tour-de-force that was "Ship of Fools", O'Toole's sequel to that book is still compulsive reading for anyone interested in Irish politics, or socio-political global change in general. Start with "Ship of Fools" first so you understand the problem, then follow with this one where O'Toole tries to supply possible solutions for repairing the damage. I'm far from convinced that he's right in every case, but he certainly makes some good cases for revolutionary and evolutionary changes.
February 13, 2021
Completely changed the way I look at the Irish political system. This is the first book I’d recommend to anyone interested in getting involved in Irish politics.
First half outlines the core structural flaws in the Irish political system: our weak systems of local government and parliament, our underdeveloped welfare state, and our failure to invest in the foundations of a strong economy.
Second half is a more straightforward discussion of six major policy issues: pensions, housing, healthcare, education, inequality, and corruption.
I will likely be using it as a key reference text for years to come.
First half outlines the core structural flaws in the Irish political system: our weak systems of local government and parliament, our underdeveloped welfare state, and our failure to invest in the foundations of a strong economy.
Second half is a more straightforward discussion of six major policy issues: pensions, housing, healthcare, education, inequality, and corruption.
I will likely be using it as a key reference text for years to come.
September 27, 2024
Fintan O’Toole’s Enough is Enough promises to be a hard-hitting critique of Ireland’s political and economic woes during the financial crisis, but it ultimately reads more like a drawn-out rant than a constructive or insightful analysis. While O’Toole is undoubtedly an articulate writer, his tone often veers into self-righteousness, making the book feel more like a lecture than an argument for meaningful change.
The central issue with Enough is Enough is its one-dimensional approach. O’Toole spends much of the book rehashing familiar grievances about corruption, political cronyism, and the failures of the Celtic Tiger era, without offering much in the way of new insights. The constant barrage of criticism quickly becomes repetitive, and while many of his points are valid, they’re often made in such a strident, almost moralistic tone that they lose their impact. It feels less like an appeal to reason and more like O’Toole venting his frustrations at a system that, yes, we already know is broken.
Moreover, Enough is Enough suffers from a lack of balance. O’Toole spends so much time tearing into Ireland’s political establishment and financial institutions that he leaves little room for nuance or alternative perspectives. His contempt for the Irish government and its handling of the crisis is palpable, but it’s so all-encompassing that it leaves no space for a more measured discussion of the complexities behind the economic collapse. The book paints in broad strokes, with politicians and bankers portrayed as caricatures of greed and incompetence, without fully grappling with the global factors that played a role in Ireland’s downfall.
One of the most glaring weaknesses is the lack of actionable solutions. While O’Toole excels at diagnosing Ireland’s problems, his proposed remedies are disappointingly vague and idealistic. He calls for an overhaul of the political system, but his suggestions feel overly simplistic, lacking the practical grounding needed to be taken seriously. In the end, the book reads more like a manifesto of frustration than a roadmap for real change. O’Toole’s focus on what’s wrong with Ireland overshadows any coherent plan for how to fix it.
In terms of style, Enough is Enough can be a slog to get through. O’Toole’s prose is dense and often weighed down by long-winded tirades that go in circles. The book is clearly fueled by passion, but that passion frequently translates into verbosity, with pages upon pages of righteous indignation that could have been condensed into a more concise and focused argument.
In short, Enough is Enough is a missed opportunity. While Fintan O’Toole raises important issues about Ireland’s political and economic landscape, his relentless negativity, lack of nuance, and absence of concrete solutions make for a frustrating read. Rather than providing clarity or a path forward, the book often feels like little more than a litany of complaints. If you’re looking for a constructive discussion of Ireland’s post-crisis future, you may want to look elsewhere.
The central issue with Enough is Enough is its one-dimensional approach. O’Toole spends much of the book rehashing familiar grievances about corruption, political cronyism, and the failures of the Celtic Tiger era, without offering much in the way of new insights. The constant barrage of criticism quickly becomes repetitive, and while many of his points are valid, they’re often made in such a strident, almost moralistic tone that they lose their impact. It feels less like an appeal to reason and more like O’Toole venting his frustrations at a system that, yes, we already know is broken.
Moreover, Enough is Enough suffers from a lack of balance. O’Toole spends so much time tearing into Ireland’s political establishment and financial institutions that he leaves little room for nuance or alternative perspectives. His contempt for the Irish government and its handling of the crisis is palpable, but it’s so all-encompassing that it leaves no space for a more measured discussion of the complexities behind the economic collapse. The book paints in broad strokes, with politicians and bankers portrayed as caricatures of greed and incompetence, without fully grappling with the global factors that played a role in Ireland’s downfall.
One of the most glaring weaknesses is the lack of actionable solutions. While O’Toole excels at diagnosing Ireland’s problems, his proposed remedies are disappointingly vague and idealistic. He calls for an overhaul of the political system, but his suggestions feel overly simplistic, lacking the practical grounding needed to be taken seriously. In the end, the book reads more like a manifesto of frustration than a roadmap for real change. O’Toole’s focus on what’s wrong with Ireland overshadows any coherent plan for how to fix it.
In terms of style, Enough is Enough can be a slog to get through. O’Toole’s prose is dense and often weighed down by long-winded tirades that go in circles. The book is clearly fueled by passion, but that passion frequently translates into verbosity, with pages upon pages of righteous indignation that could have been condensed into a more concise and focused argument.
In short, Enough is Enough is a missed opportunity. While Fintan O’Toole raises important issues about Ireland’s political and economic landscape, his relentless negativity, lack of nuance, and absence of concrete solutions make for a frustrating read. Rather than providing clarity or a path forward, the book often feels like little more than a litany of complaints. If you’re looking for a constructive discussion of Ireland’s post-crisis future, you may want to look elsewhere.
August 13, 2022
Published in 2010, I was curious to read Enough is Enough to compare & contrast 12 years on.
An excellent book, inspiring in its aspirations & infuriating in its highlighting of how far away Ireland was & is from a true Republic. The book glaring exposes the many fundamental myths that Ireland operates under and follows on to recommend the areas of systemic but achievable change that are needed.
Not much of the 50 recommendations have been done in over a decade, and I wonder will the rest ever be even looked at, not to mention attempted.
An excellent book, inspiring in its aspirations & infuriating in its highlighting of how far away Ireland was & is from a true Republic. The book glaring exposes the many fundamental myths that Ireland operates under and follows on to recommend the areas of systemic but achievable change that are needed.
Not much of the 50 recommendations have been done in over a decade, and I wonder will the rest ever be even looked at, not to mention attempted.
October 8, 2025
I'm a massive fan of Fintan O'Toole's writing but I never engaged with this one. I understand why he wrote it (in response to Ship of Fools).
Read
December 8, 2024Very interesting to know in more detail the reality of Ireland.
Ireland was -just like my country Portugal- part of the PIGS during the 2008 and onward crisis. It is very interesting to see the amount of similarities between us.
What i liked the most was the detail in which the author shows how the fairy tale of neoliberalism destroyed Ireland's social structure. Neoliberal tactics were always shown as a "solution" for us here in Portugal and we didn't have much of a choice but to follow whatever Troika and IMF demanded. We are still paying the price. However, we are still being told by the right that we didn't do it all, and that we still have to go further; but reading what happened -and is still happening in Ireland- is proof that those parties and those people are only interested in their own personal gain rather than the thousands of people who will be crushed by those measures. I will recommend this book to each and everyone idiot who comes at me with that argument again.
Additionally, the solutions proposed by the author are very well explained and are based not only in countries where they have worked and continue to work, but in a deep desire to make a better life for every Irish person. I only wish we went a bit further left.
Lastly, i addored the sarcasm in his writing. It was a perfect touch.
Ireland was -just like my country Portugal- part of the PIGS during the 2008 and onward crisis. It is very interesting to see the amount of similarities between us.
What i liked the most was the detail in which the author shows how the fairy tale of neoliberalism destroyed Ireland's social structure. Neoliberal tactics were always shown as a "solution" for us here in Portugal and we didn't have much of a choice but to follow whatever Troika and IMF demanded. We are still paying the price. However, we are still being told by the right that we didn't do it all, and that we still have to go further; but reading what happened -and is still happening in Ireland- is proof that those parties and those people are only interested in their own personal gain rather than the thousands of people who will be crushed by those measures. I will recommend this book to each and everyone idiot who comes at me with that argument again.
Additionally, the solutions proposed by the author are very well explained and are based not only in countries where they have worked and continue to work, but in a deep desire to make a better life for every Irish person. I only wish we went a bit further left.
Lastly, i addored the sarcasm in his writing. It was a perfect touch.
June 11, 2011
An excellent assessment of the economic situation (and beyond) in Ireland. Whilst this book is quite damning of a number of things, it is much more focussed on offering a clear and positive message, an instruction, on how to recover and improve governance, health, education and more in Ireland.
Fintan O'Toole writes well and with a strong voice of reason. Ireland is not really a republic at all, in the true political sense of the word, but this book lays out ways in which it could earn that title.
Fintan O'Toole writes well and with a strong voice of reason. Ireland is not really a republic at all, in the true political sense of the word, but this book lays out ways in which it could earn that title.
June 18, 2012
Fintan O'Toole gives us clear and concise ways to transform Ireland and to create a second Republic - not that we ever had a real Republic to start with. Although I can't help but wonder if the groundswell of concerned citizens which came together after the crash will effect the constitutional change required or it will become just another talk fest. Either way something needs to be done to make these glorified County Councillors pretending to be TD's accountable and to introduce a long overdue participatory form of democracy.
January 14, 2012
If this book does not inspire you to make serious changes in your daily life, as well as encourage you to get involved in local politics and challenge the political elite, then we really are in trouble. No waffle, just hard talk on hard issues supported by clear and concise data. Very strongly recommend for anyone looking for an introduction to the current economic climate.
January 31, 2013
Not until I read this book did I realise what a poor excuse for a republic my country is. The author is optimistic enough to suggest solutions to the problems he identifies. I don't share his optimism but it's interesting to read about possible solutions all the same.
I enjoyed this book more than "Ship of Fools."
I enjoyed this book more than "Ship of Fools."
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews