SOCIAL COHESION CANNOT BE ENGINEERED BY NUALA NOLAN
Dear Editor,
History tells us that centuries of ethnic history cannot be changed into a “one size fits all” identity. It also tells us that time does not eliminate cultural differences. We only have to see the 12th of July Celebrations in Northern Ireland to recognise this.
Spending vast amounts of taxpayers’ money on diversity and inclusion programs may satisfy Governments into thinking that they are achieving something, but there is little evidence that they produce the desired outcome. Diversity of opinions and ideals is ingrained in the human psyche.
Denmark, like Ireland, has a relatively small ethnic population of 5 million plus, with a distinct set of values which they are openly proud of and want to hold on to, so having the strictest pathways to Danish Citizenship makes sense. Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Denmark, has set down a marker for the rest of the EU in how the Left in other EU Countries will have to deal with the mass immigration of culturally different peoples.
This dilemma is how to reconcile the values of a liberal and open society with a high-cost of generous social welfare system, and the inevitable strains it puts on the host country’s economy when you have a relatively small country that depends on strong social cohesion for its economy to work.
The “Open Borders” policy supported by Left political parties in EU countries ignores this economic cost a generous Welfare System in the post-manufacturing EU, where jobs from the service industries are the mainstays of employment, and various government-funded jobs in Education, Health and Social Support. They also ignore the uncertainty that AI will reduce the workforce; even those with University Degrees will struggle to find employment.
Ireland is turning a blind eye to this dilemma; along with those who want to be generous with taxpayers’ money. But I guess the well-paid advisers to Government and CEOs of NGOs will be well cushioned from the inevitable effects of any economic downturn. “Ní hé lá na gaoithe lá na scolb”.
Nuala Nolan Galway
Latest news
