m i s c.
Vol. 128, Issue 1
September 2021
MISC. is a platform for student writers and artists to focus their passion and creativity on stories that fail to am ke headlines elsewhere. tI is an opportunity to delve deeper, and hopefully to think around an issue, rather than simply about it. Sis leads em to reoect on the theme of this issue: Change. oN thing is impervious to change as we know, but humans have ouen found a way to direct that change. n I novative ideas have the power to improve society, the u q ality of people’s lives, and the planet. oH wever, it has not always proven to be a og od thing: in am ny instances change has leu people and the world in a worse or place than when we started. Se following articles discuss change that has been positive in areas such as u m sic and protest; that has been alarming in technology and politics; and that has been sorely lacking in em dicine and og ev rnment. Finally, as per tradition, we ask that you read the following pages with an open mind and a critical eye, and we encourage you to share your thoughts with us. - Sean Gordon Dalton Editor-in-Chief
art by Jennifer Hill
C O N T E N T S
CULTURE An Alternative Ulster: Punk and the Troubles
3
Rome Rule to Onlyfans: The Change in Irish Attirudes towards Sex
7
Social Media and Covid 19: Hidden by a Mask, Heightened by a Screen
10
Editor in Chief Sean Gordon Dalton Cover Artist Clara Cronin
POLITICS
13
End of an Era: The Race to Replace Angela Merkel
Political Editors Catherine Forristal David Wolfe
17
Unionism Divided: The Downfall of the DUP and the Polarisation of Unionism
Culture Editor Pearse Crowley Sci-Tech Editor Erika Magan
ECONOMY The Housing Crisis: Market Failure or Global Phenomenon?
21 24
Universal Basic Income: Tackling Poverty Head on
Economy Editor Liam Brady Art Manager Ella Sloane Chief Copy Editor Jules O’Toole
SCI-TECH
Deputy Copy Editor Siobhan Walsh
27
Duty of Poor Care: Women’s Health still stuck in the Back Seat
30
Who’s Watching? The Terrifying Implications of Pegasus Spyware
Layout and Design David Wolfe Sean Gordon Dalton Ella Sloane Trinity MISC. 6 Trinity College Dublin 2 trinitymisc@gmail.com
2
culture
Alternative Ulster:
Punk and the Troubles by JULES O’TOOLE
unit, posing as security forces performing a routine security check. The intentions of the unit were unclear- until a bomb
they
were
planting,
allegedly intended to detonate in Dublin in the Miami’s bus, exploded prematurely, killing
J
Stiff Little Fingers, ‘ 79
oe Strummer once said, ‘If punk was hard, Ulster was
harder. If punk was chaos, Ulster was warzone. Punk was
the perfect soundtrack to the ravaged cities.’ The loud, angry and aggressive sound of the punk movement, reaching a peak in 1977, coincided with the loud aggression of The Troubles, creating a unique, cross-sectional punk scene in Northern Ireland that captured a political sentiment, a sense of protest, and the raw energy of young people simply fed up of their surroundings. The violence of the Troubles suppressed music throughout Ireland but arguably through this inspired it even more. With little focus on Irish music, one tragic event was the catalyst that backhandedly sparked a revelation in Irish music. On July 31st, 1975, The Miami Showband were travelling to Dublin from a gig in the Castle Ballroom, Bandridge, Co. Down. Most showbands featured 7 or 8 members, a full complement of brass and a lead singer, performing an island wide circuit of parochial halls and ballrooms, bringing standard dances and chart covers. It is estimated at the peak of the era there were over 700 active showbands in Ireland. The Miami ‘The Irish Beatles’ - were popular both north and south of the border, performing for mixed audiences, representing Ireland in the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest. The group were met in the early hours of July 31st by a Loyalist paramilitary
3
two
paramilitary
members
instantly. The following panic resulted in 3 members of the Miami being shot and killed. The results of the Miami
Massacre on music in Northern Ireland were instant and widespread. From the 1st of July, newspapers reported variety acts cancelling Northern Irish gigs for fear of repeat attacks, with the Irish Musicians Federation issuing statements to the same effect. No longer was Ireland a safe place for musicians to tour. It was instead stigmatised as a problem destination for international popular acts, a stigma that some argue lasted until the mid-80s. The Miami massacre highlighted the fact that even music, previously enjoyed by communities on either side of the conflict together, could never be immune to the sectarian strife that was tearing apart the north-eastern part of the island. This Miami Showband Massacre perhaps sparked the punk movement in Northern Ireland - with less and less international acts and showbands, music was given more space to thrive, uninfluenced by exposure to large scale American and British acts. The absence of live gigs and social occasions also resulted in young people focusing their attention on smaller, home-grown groups and pub gigs. A gap for punk music was inevitable; punk had a raw energy and a DIY approach that made it more accessible - you don’t need to be able to read music to play punk. If you can even play an instrument, you’re already doing better than The Sex Pistols
culture ever could. Punk had an attitude of rebelling against authority
in Europe, became legendary, a home to all punks. Soon after
and social norms, an anger, and a form of escapism - just what
opening the shop, Terri had his first brush with punk at a
the youth of Northern Ireland were crying out for.
small gig in The Pound, RUDI and The Outcasts. A plan was
Belfast was put firmly on the punk picture by the arrival of The
quickly made to release RUDI’s ‘Big Time’ as a flexi-disc, to
Clash, (‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’, ‘Rock the Casbah’),
be given away free with a copy of Alternative Ulster, a small
on October 20th 1977. Punks descended from all across the
scale punk zine. After some calculations, it turned out it would
country, on an anarchistic pilgrimage to the Ulster Hall,
be only marginally more expensive to go all out and print a
Bedford Street. Fearing the chaos of gathering all these youths
proper 7” vinyl single. Today, a first pressing of Big Time is
together, the gig was cancelled at the last minute by Belfast
a priceless collector’s piece. On original Good Vibrations
City Hall. In response, young punks created a roadblock,
singles, the picture sleeves were printed off on a photocopier,
stopping any movement on Bedford Street, throwing stones
before being folded by hand, often by the band themselves.
at the windows of the Ulster hall. The RUC were called to
Terri remained to be an influential figure in Belfast’s Music
put an end to ‘The Riot of Bedford’. Fans as young as 15 were pushed, shoved, and beaten by the police. (The riot was later immortalised by RUDI, in the song ‘Cops’, and its infamous ‘SS RUC’ chorus, a NI punk anthem.) The Clash, ‘working class heroes’ of the UK, rounded off the night in the Europa Hotel, the most expensive establishment in Belfast, while fans made their way back to their realities. The Clash posed with army and police up the Falls Road and at security checkpoints, utterly fascinated by the world they had walked into. These images were posted in music magazines and fanzines, with headlines screaming:
“
Young people in Northern Ireland were living in aggression, sick of authority, unable to escape
scene until last year, finally retiring from public appearances. The Undertones were undoubtedly the most successful band of Northern Ireland’s
punk,
with
lyrics
that
discussed universal teenage perils: romance,
Subbuteo,
pimples
and
Mars bars. The Undertones only once discussed political issues in their lyrics, which may be the root of their success abroad. Following a string of gigs and rejected demos, Terri Hooley offered them the chance to record an EP. On the 16th of June ’78, the Teenage Kicks EP was recorded. What happened next is often disputed, but however it happened, John Peel
“THE CLASH UNITE PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC
received a copy of the EP. On September 9th, Peel played
YOUTH WITH PUNK ROCK DESPITE CANCELLED
all four tracks on his evening show, playing Teenage Kicks
GIGS AND REPRESSION”. These Belfast punks were
twice in a row, cementing its place as a pop legend. “Isn’t
living their everyday lives in what The Clash considered
that the most wonderful record you’ve ever heard?” The
an edgy photo opportunity. Catholic and Protestant young
Undertones were the most commercially successful of all the
people in Northern Ireland were living in aggression, sick
NI punk bands, with their unique power-pop style forming
of authority, unable to escape. The Clash concert acted as a
the inspiration for many others. Based around a 4 chord
catalyst for the punk scene. Alliances were made, friendships
pattern and an infectious riff, Teenage Kicks continues to
were created, and most importantly, bands were formed.
influence what dominates today’s charts. The opening riff is
Instrumental to the punk movement was Terri Hooley, ‘the
instantly recognisable, yet the song really comes into its own
Malcolm McLaren’ of NI Punk, his Good Vibrations shop
during the instrumental breaks, with handclaps and the riff
and independent record label of the same name. Terri’s tiny
repeating again. There is clear inspiration from the Ramones,
record shop on Great Victoria Street, the most bombed street
as it has many parallels to Blitzkrieg Bop in its simplicity and
4
art by Ella Sloane
culture repetitiveness. Teenage Kicks is universal, and relatable,
to the top of the alternative charts, and is one of the most
away from the violence on the ground The Undertones were
instantly recognisable Northern Irish punk songs. With
surrounded with. Although they received criticism for not
their music setting out “to confront the negative energy of
discussing the violence that surrounded them, the group
political injustice with...rock music’’, SLF belonged to the
disagreed with glorifying the Troubles for the sake of their
“social realist” wing of punk. In ‘Alternative Ulster’, we see
music focusing on ‘songs about chocolate and girls’ . Teenage
the harsh life of the Troubles mimicked in both the lyrics and
Kicks will forever go down in history as punk’s catchiest 4
music, creating the perfect track to epitomise the anger felt
chord song, and its timeless, relatable subject matter may be
by Ulster’s youth. In something as deep rooted in our social
the reason for its great commercial success. It has evolved
conscious as the Troubles, it can often be hard to find any
into a staple punk cover for countless bands: The Buzzcocks,
form of unbiased, objective material; yet SLF achieve this.
U2, Snow Patrol, One Direction, even Jedward. Until his
History is simultaneously confronted and avoided, no names
death, John Peel maintained that Teenage Kicks was his
or incidents are mentioned. Away from the sectarian attitude
favourite song ever written, even having an acoustic version
of ‘us’ and ‘them’, ‘Alternative Ulster’ pulls everyone together
played at this funeral.
in a fight against the injustices and terrors of the society they
Stiff Little Fingers, started off as a heavy rock schoolboy band,
surround themselves with. “Nothin’ for us in Belfast”. In a city
with a set mainly consisting of covers by Led Zeppelin and
always on the edge, the arts have no place to thrive, and youth
Deep Purple. But as punk began to spread through Northern
have no p;ace to express their views. ‘Alternative Ulster’ calls
Ireland in 1977, a change in style was imminent. The band
for us all to question what we’ve surrounded ourselves with,
renamed themselves Stiff Little Fingers, (SLF) after the
and what we perceive as norms. It calls on us to share our
Vibrators song, and began
opinions on the issues that
to build up their set with
affect us, and think critically
punk
real
about them. ‘Is this the kind
turning point for the band
of place you wanna live, is
covers.
The
was when they were spotted by two English journalists, in
Scan with Spotify to listen to the punk soundtrack of 70’s Ulster
November 1977. They were
this where you wanna be? Is this the only life we’re gonna have? What we need… Is an
impressed by their raw energy, and encouraged the band to
Alternative Ulster’. Even in a peaceful society, ‘Alternative
write about their own experiences in Northern Ireland. This
Ulster’ carries the message to be active, and protest, to stand
involvement of journalists, and the groups sudden departure
up, and “Alter your native land”.
from rock towards punk has led to criticism that the group were not as authentic as other bands, taking advantage of the surrounding political climate and glamorising it for commercial gain. Shortly after this their redirection, ‘Suspect Device’ and ‘Wasted Life’ were penned, songs conveying the turbulent, unjust political and social landscape in Northern Ireland. Both tracks were recorded, and 500 copies were released, on their own Rigid Digits label. A copy was sent to John Peel, (noticing a theme?), who played the tracks on his show every night for a week. Local fanzine Alternative Ulster approached the band, asking for them to write a song to be issued as a freebie flexi single with the fanzine.
The punk scene of Northern Ireland is unique in its ability to highlight and discuss political issues confronting young people, while simultaneously providing a total escape from ordinary life. From punk fashion to gigs in The Pound, the Northern Irish scene allowed individuals to carve out an identity and circle independent of political alliances, independent of religion. The attitudes of punk, of questioning social norms, rebelling against authority, with a DIY approach were perhaps most suited to the Troubles. As best put by 2013 film Good Vibrations, ‘New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason’.
SLF’s most successful song, ‘Alternative Ulster’, rocketed
6
culture
Rome Rule to Onlyfans: The Change in Irish Attitudes towards Sex
“G
od doesn’t want people to have sexual intercourse
by Anna Lugard
before marriage.” This was the message of an Irish
educational video from the 1980s that recently went viral for its comically outdated description of sex. The video reached over 3.7 million viewers wen it was shared by Irish Youtuber jacksepticeye earlier this year. Angela, the presenter of the video, opens with a prayer. She then uses awkward hand gestures and a variety of euphemisms to desperately circumvent the topic of sex. When Angela finally settles on a definition, she emphasises that sexual intercourse must only occur between a married husband and wife, for the sole purpose of reproduction. It is easy to see the humour in what feels like a caricature of rural Irish culture in the late 20th century. Half way through her explanation, Angela pauses to peer out her window and admire the cows grazing outside. The epitome of virtuous Irish chastity! The video’s old-fashioned take on sex may seem laughable to the millions of viewers that it reached. However, not long ago this puritanical Catholic value system very much dictated Irish public morality, often with devastating effects. When Ireland gained independence in 1922, the Catholic Church was given tremendous power over health care and education. Public opinion regarding sexuality and sexual health was very much based on religious doctrine. The Catholic Church
7
art by Jennifer Hill
also held sway over politics and legislation, resulting in a
used to surround the topic of sex have all but broken down.
variety of oppressive laws that limited sexual behaviour.
Ireland has become increasingly accepting of a wide range
Furthermore, sexual behaviour deemed immoral by the state
of sexual orientations and gender identities. In the 1990s,
was punished by institutionalisation. For the better half of
reconciliation with Northern Ireland in combination with
the 20th century, Catholic institutions such as asylums and
the boom of the Celtic Tiger led to a period of social and
mother and baby homes exercised state-subsidized control
economic improvement, while increased industrialisation
over Irish women who deviated from the sexual “norm.” This
and investment in Ireland enabled a more stable and socially
included women who conceived out of wedlock, but also
progressive society. This was reflected in Ireland’s effort
young women who were seen as troublesome or sexually
to gradually repeal and replace its archaic laws regarding
promiscuous.
sex and sexuality. In 1990, marital rape finally became
Fortunately, Ireland’s attitudes toward sex have undergone
criminalised. In 1993, homosexuality was decriminalised.
drastic changes in recent decades- the strict taboos that
Divorce was legalised in 1995. In 2018, Ireland voted to
culture decriminalise abortion. Between the
a taboo at the time by suggesting that
claims that sex and technology have
1990s and the present day, Ireland has
she enjoyed sex work, and promoting
become so intertwined, that by natural
made a spectacular leap from being an
it as a rewarding profession rather than
consequence more and more ordinary
extremely sexually repressive country
a desperate measure. This liberated,
people are choosing to create their own
to being one of the most progressive
pro-sex work approach has continued
online sexual content, for pleasure
and open-minded countries in the
to grow in popularity. In 2009, the Sex
and profit rather than out of necessity.
world.
Workers Alliance Ireland was formed
Professor Brian McNair expands
to give sex workers a voice, advocate
on this idea in his book “Striptease
for their rights and safety, and work
Culture” wherein he examines our
to reduce stigma. In 2017, Ireland
modern fixation on self-revelation and
implemented the client criminalisation
public exposure. Sex worker Marese
model where paying for sexual services
O’Shea’s 1997 memoir serves as an
is criminalised, but sex work itself is
example of the “mainstreaming” of
not.
sex and the beginning of “strip tease
Like many other professions, sex work
culture” even in the late 90s. However
with most
has expanded to the digital sphere. In
as Feona Atwood notes, these cultural
fact, the vast majority of sex work in
phenomena have truly exploded in the
Western
Ireland is carried out online. During
digital age, as evidenced by the spike in
the pandemic, many sex workers and
popularity of online sex work platforms
countries has
consumers sought to continue their
such as OnlyFans during the pandemic.
exchanges without the danger of in-
Youtube personality Keelin Moncrieff
undergone a
person interaction. As a result, there
is one of many popular figures who
was a tremendous boom in online sex
has contributed to the normalisation
‘mainstreaming’
work. Platforms such as OnlyFans saw
or “mainstreaming” of online sex
a huge increase in both subscribers and
work in Ireland. After amassing a
of sex
content creators. Even well-known
large following through her Youtube
celebrities such as Bella Thorne and
videos and Instagram page, Moncrieff
Cardi B have created accounts on the
started an OnlyFans account to help
A more recent development in Irish
platform where they charge a monthly
save up for a mortgage. Her reasoning
public morality is an increasing
subscription fee for access to exclusive,
for this, and the explanation she gave
acceptance and destigmatisation of
often sexual content.
her parents, is that she simply “won’t
sex work. In 1997, Irish author Marese
From a cultural perspective, Ireland
make as much money in any other
O’Shea published a memoir titled “The
along with most Western countries has
career”. Keelin, daughter of RTE
True Story of the Vice Queen’’, detailing
undergone a “mainstreaming” of sex.
columnist
her experiences as a sex worker and
This phenomena is described by author
Sean Moncrieff, exemplifies how sex
founder of an escort agency that in
and lecturer Feona Atwood, who claims
work has entered the mainstream
her own words “changed the face of
that sex is becoming increasingly
and become a relatively viable source
prostitution in Ireland.” O’Shea hailed
visible
influential.
of income even for women who are
from a middle class background and
Pornography is more accessible than
already financially stable. Moncrieff is
cited high wages, flexible working hours
ever due to the internet and has crept
an educated, empowered feminist who
and constant flattery as her reasons for
into
influencing
is hyperaware of the objectification of
pursuing sex work. O’Shea broke many
fashion, music, and art. Attwood
women and the perils of pornography.
“
From a cultural
perspective, Ireland along
and
popular
culturally
culture
and
radio
broadcaster
8
culture She is critical of Pornhub which she sees as corrupt and rife with revenge porn. On her OnlyFans account, Keelin posts reviews of sex toys, discusses consent, and provides her subscribers with detailed explanations of how to arouse women. Keelin’s progressive approach to online sex work has clearly appealed to a wide audience. She currently has 66.3 thousand OnlyFans subscribers, more than three times the number of students enrolled at Trinity College. Remarkably, over 60% of them are female, which is testament to Keelin’s commitment to creating content that goes beyond pandering to the male gaze. Educated middle-class content creators like Keelin represent the “new respectability” of sex work in Irish society. Nonetheless, they remain a minority in the sex work industry. Many less privileged creators (who form the majority of the online sex work community) are equally working to subvert the narrative that women in sex work are helpess victims. In an interview with youtuber Jorda Hendy, Dublin sex worker Kayla (who works under the name Bilquis Moon) describes how her OnlyFans page makes her feel strong and independent. It also provides her with a steady increase in income. Kayla finds it “completely empowering doing sex work, you’re in control of your own body, you have your own say.” Much like Moncrieff, she notes that OnlyFans presents a healthier, more realistic version of sex than traditional pornographic websites. Unfortunately, sex work is not all roses and female empowerment. Even the most adamant advocates for the mainstream acceptance of sex work admit that sex workers face a wide range of challenges that can cause serious harm. In her 1997 memoir, Marese O’Shea acknowledges the potential for violence in the industry, and describes how she
9
art by Catherine Ding
faced as one of the first big OnlyFans creators in the West
of Ireland. She also mentions an incident where one of her videos was leaked, resulting in public embarrassment and a loss of profits, as people were viewing her content for free. In these situations, online sex workers remain relatively powerless to stand up for themselves and protect their privacy. Ireland’s vibrant sexual landscape today is a far cry from the puritanical society that outlawed contraception and produced the mother and baby homes. From the election of a gay Taoiseach in 2017, to the mainstream popularity of online feminist sex workers like Keelin Moncrieff, Ireland has positioned itself at the forefront of sexual liberation. Despite
witnessed many women “coming out of poverty, completely
this, there are still changes that need to be made to improve
abusing themselves, not using protection, having no control
the rights and safety of sex workers, women, and queer and
over their lives.” While creating online content has allowed
trans people. Relics of Ireland’s more conversative years,
sex workers to mitigate some of the dangers posed by in-
like Angela’s 1980s sex education video, can serve as both a
person work, they still face a whole host of issues that
humbling reminder of our recent past, and as encouraging
threaten their safety and privacy. During her interview, sex
proof of how far we have come. Let it also be an opportunity
worker Kayla describes the shame and ostracisation she
to reflect on how far we have yet to go.
culture
Social Media and Covid-19: Hidden by a mask, heightened by a screen
W
by Sophie Coffey
hen we talk of social media, we often talk of
It was not long before the novelty of our first lockdown
accessibility- accessibility to instant news,
wore off. The platforms where we once shared heartfelt
pertinent updates, immediate gratification. After all,
videos of neighbourhood bingo became the very same
whether it is in a pocket or clutched in our hands, as
places we shared photos of social distancing breaches
individuals we hold our connection to these platforms
or prohibited gatherings. The anti-vax movement was
close to us nearly all the time. It has never been easier
armed with Facebook accounts while a mindless scroll
to form and hold connections to these apps. And yet, it is
on Tik-Tok now incurred the risk of stumbling upon a
paradoxical to suggest that we maintain a hold on social
politician’s account. Twitter was flooded with entries
media. In reality, the power that these platforms hold
to the, ‘you can’t complain because we had it worst’
over us and our lives is far more significant.
competition. Simultaneously, Instagram continued to
The link between individuals and their
art by SÍOFRA DROHAN
social media is not a hold that is going away any time soon. On the contrary, it appears to be only intensifying. In March 2020 the outside world shut down and we replaced our human, in-person interaction with online alternatives. Our new life appeared to be worlds away from its 2019 predecessor. And in many ways it was an entirely new world, only this time it was one that existed primarily within a screen. We took to this new online lifestyle with childlike naivete. The social media accounts that we turned to were full of light-hearted escapism and a giddy form of humour. Memes about toilet roll and working-from-home were recycled through Facebook and WhatsApp groups. On Instagram and Twitter, Tiger King debates and banana breads fought for space in the trending charts. Older generations were introduced to new relatives through video calls and caught up with family members for Zoom quizzes. Isolated from one another, we clung instead to the social media apps that brought us a sense of reality even in the most unrealistic of times.
display a highlight reel of those who claimed to be thriving. As reflected in every element of our pre-pandemic lives, Covid-19 changed the way we use social media. No longer is it merely an additional dimension to our current mould
of
socialisation.
Instead, a new mould has been shaped, with social media granted its own substantial role in the progression and interaction of our society. Suddenly social media was more than a platform on which to share birthday tributes or holiday selfies (vacation snaps unsurprisingly in short supply). Instead it became a platform upon which small movements could position themselves and expand. It became a platform upon which a message could be instantaneously shared and spread. It became the platform that enabled and supported the amplification of justice. In the wake of the racially charged murder of George Floyd, the hashtag BlackLivesMatter trended on a global scale. The movement promoted conversations that while initiated on a social media app, facilitated further reaching consequences away from the online sphere. Months later information about Palestinian oppression
10
culture was shared across social media platforms, alongside
indicating a significant rise in the use of social media
details of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
platforms.
(BDS) movement. Closer to home the Abolish Direct
As with any platform available to the public, social
Provision campaign has used its online presence to raise
media is inexorably tinged by the public mood. As
awareness. Social media enables the communication of
restrictions and case numbers rose, tempers and
multimedia stories through the efficient distribution of
patience dwindled. Vitriol from self-professed virology
infographics, images and first person accounts alongside
experts was aimed at NPHET on Twitter, even as
links to news articles and journalist reports. Twitter and
government ministers scrambled to contain leaks over
Instagram in particular have become focal points for this
public health announcements. A sudden emphasis on
new form of virtual protest. Through the origin of social
digital marketing and social media PR became a focus
media, a rallying resource has been created that spans
for both corporations and political administrations. The
political, geographical and generational borders. Most
primary campaigning in the 2021 Dublin Bay South by-
importantly, it is a pivotal form of protest that shows no
election took place remotely while the appointment of
“
Social media offers a chance for politicians to campaign and also further facilitates the public’s opportunity to complain
Linda Doyle as Trinity’s first female provost was a similarly online affair. This
movement
away
from
traditional election processes may be what is required to encourage greater youth engagement in politics. However, it is an opportunity that will be missed if those undertaking election campaigns overlook the power of social media. The internet is teeming with short-term fads and
signs of decelerating.
trends but there is no doubt that the mark made by social
Across multiple lockdowns we stayed inside to prevent
media will continue to be reinforced in both the political
the spread of an infectious disease. Instead of viral
and public domains.
illnesses we spread vital messages, justice on national
Social media offers a chance for politicians to campaign
and international scales, humanitarian causes and
and also further facilitates the public’s opportunity to
movements to support marginalised groups. Again and
complain. In August 2020 the details of a guideline-
again social media rose to the occasion, highlighting
breaching Oireachtas Golf Society dinner trended across
issues more effectively than traditional campaigns had
social media platforms. The accountability and desire
the capacity to achieve.
for a response to public anger required the use of public
It does not take a mathematician to understand why.
platforms. In particular the intensity and scrutiny that
A report published by the communications watchdog
faced those who attended ‘Golfgate’ was made possible
ComReg offers insight into how the pandemic has
by independent platforms that offered individuals a
affected our use of social media in Ireland. In April 2020,
chance to assert their beliefs. Public pressure can be
56% of those surveyed reported that they were spending
applied by anyone with a social media account and from
more time on social media than they had done prior to
any location with a WiFi signal.
the pandemic. While this statistic dropped five percent
Stark statistics reported in Deloitte Ireland’s Digital
in response to the same question in November 2020,
Consumer Trends 2020 indicated that 32% of people
the positive response rate remained over the 50% mark
look at their phones at least 50 times a day. They also note
11
culture
that 17% of people check their phones at least 200 times
relating to Covid-19 but cannot detect and appropriately
a day or on average once every 7.2 minutes. Statistics
respond to prejudiced and abusive language? In the
like these provide a more troubling side to the jokes
UK, Marcus Rashford earned acclaim and praise across
about falling down “black holes” of YouTube videos or
social media for his work raising awareness and funds to
Tik-Tok “for you pages.” It may seem harmless to enable
provide free school meals for children. Only months later
auto-play on Tik-Tok but the vacuum of social media
his very same social media channels were inundated with
can carry far more dangerous effects. The amplification
racist abuse following a missed penalty during the Euro
of social media accounts can be commended for its role
2020 final.
in public awareness and protest. However, a concurrent
Social media unites and divides in equal measure. Efforts
rise in misinformation and fake news indicates an added
by individual account users to contribute to the site in a
danger. In recent years content posted to Facebook has
positive way are inhibited by the inadequate responses
been associated with conspiracy theories and the spread
of tech corporations who can control and impact these
of dangerous rhetoric. As the pandemic has progressed,
apps on a much larger scale. The use of social media
so too has the focus of the reporting. Dialogue around
during the pandemic has been accelerated at a pace that
Covid-19 has moved on to include discussion relating to
demonstrates no signs of slowing down.
the vaccine. Posts claiming that the vaccine provides 5G
Whether it was behind masks, screens or rose-tinted
and is a government tracking device were among the most
glasses, 2020 and 2021 have been years that have both
popular untrue declarations. Mark Zuckerberg’s tech
concealed and illuminated. Our prior use of social media
giant employs fact-checkers to manage misinformation
has been transformed into a reliance on our access to
on the site but with almost 1.9 billion people logging onto
these apps. This accessibility of social media is perhaps
Facebook daily in the second quarter of 2021, the volume
its greatest triumph and also closest defeat. While we
of potentially harmful content requires greater focus.
hold our devices in our hands the opportunity persists to
A contribution by Facebook to manage misinformation
take advantage of the apps facilitating platforms for social
on the site involves a detection of certain words or
justice and global connection. However, if social media
phrases relating to the coronavirus. This is an important
continues to entrench itself in our day to day lives at such
step for the company to introduce but it also raises an
a rapid rate, we must only hope that we can keep up. After
additional question, why can one of the world’s largest
all, the further the drop, the deeper the crack to the screen.
tech companies create an algorithm that can target words
12
politics
End of an Era: The race to replace Angela Merkel
T
he
forthcoming
by Terence Donovan
German
assume the various party leader
co-leader Annalena Baerbock as
in
late
nomination. Since the spring of
their candidate for Chancellor.
September will be the first election
2021, the key contenders from
German voters, long considered
in
does
the three major parties have been
champions of continuity, must
not feature Angela Merkel as a
confirmed. Merkel’s conservative
decide whether they favour the
leading candidate for Chancellor.
Christian
Union
retention of the status quo or
Campaign
have
(CDU) eventually selected Armin
comprehensive changes to their
intimated that voters face an epoch-
Laschet, premier of North Rhine-
political
Federal
sixteen
Election years
which
candidates
defining choice as to how the nation not only emerges from a once-in a generation pandemic but also, whether Germany should continue its adherence to a stable political status quo or whether the existing
Democratic
configuration
Westphalia after a bruising battle
coming four years.
with Bavarian premier Markus
Laschet,
Söder. Their coalition partners, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) re-nominated
Vice-Chancellor
the
CDU
for
the
candidate,
is premier of one of Germany’s most populous regions with a long association with German industry
and finance minister Olaf Scholz
and energy reserves. The region’s
despite the candidate losing the
coal fields and steel production
party leadership race to a more
were
progressive rival in previous years.
Germany’s post-war recovery and
Finally, after decades of being
Laschet firmly placed the concerns
The election began with a series
viewed as a meagre junior coalition
of his constituents in making his
of intra-party primary races to
partner, the Green Party selected
case for the party leadership. The
parties
of
government
should
be replaced by those who would redefine the duties performed by the federal government.
13
synonymous
with
West
politics CDU have a near two-decade record in office to extol
fuel firms as an impediment to the goal of phasing out
their virtues to voters, their experience navigating
coal over the next decade and the party have committed
the period known as the Great Recession has been
to accelerating the policy to be completed before
expounded throughout the campaign as one reason to
the existing aim of 2038. The party has committed
trust the CDU to continue leading the post-pandemic
to a series of reforms to the structure of the federal
economic recovery. However, voter concerns presaged
government, ranging from a designated Ministry of
Covid-19 as the German economy was in the midst of a
Climate protection to a sudden halt to state subsidies
sustained period of lacklustre economic expansion and
for fossil fuel enterprises. These policies measures
German industry was perceived as anachronistic, with
have drawn derision from opposing party leaders and
little appetite for modernisation.
may have contributed to the decline in Green support
“
Primacy of the pandemic in daily life, rise in climate consciousness exemplified by the recent flooding and the tangible concerns over the raising of the national pension age superseded prior electoral concerns over immigration concerns over immigration
within more moderate voter segments, but these have given an intimation of how the party expects to govern. The
recent
floods
the
Northwest
in
which
killed over a hundred people brought climate concerns to the fore. Armin Laschet’s apparent
For the past eight years, The SDP have been members
chuckle during a sombre press conference concerning
of the Merkel government in a ‘grand coalition’;
the fatalities immediately drew widespread public
their leader Olaf Scholz is the sole survivor from the
condemnation and brought into the public sphere
period where the party headed the government as the
questions over the premier’s suitability to the
largest party under Gerhard Schröder. The centrist
chancellorship. Instead of using the tragic events to
Scholz remained the steadfast defender of the party’s
demand greater climate legislation, the Greens have
contributions to the outgoing government and the
remained reserved in an implicit acknowledgment
Vice-Chancellor has cited his role in the distribution
of the fact that disaster planning for towns is chiefly
of Covid relief as proof of his credentials to head an
performed by local governments. This has allowed the
SPD government. In breaking with their conservative
spotlight to return to Olaf Scholz, whose position as
partners, Scholz has attempted to find a middle ground
Vice Chancellor has made the SDP candidate the face
between the two other main parties by championing
of the existing government’s allocation of relief funds
expansive welfare programmes, promoting Germany’s
to the worst affected areas.
energy interests, and reasserting German pre-
Despite these candidates attempting to depict
dominance in directing the policy direction of the EU.
themselves as committed to improving the nation’s
The Greens lack the governmental experience of
economic shortcomings, there has been growing voter
their rivals. After Merkel, Baerbock is only the second
discontent with the leading candidates and no polling
feasible candidate for the position and the co-leader has
suggests that any party has sufficient support to govern
remonstrated her opponents as the living embodiments
without coalition partners. The resurgence of the
of a status-quo which has been intact for nearly two
libertarian Free Democrats party has added to the
decades. Baerbock scolded Laschet’s close ties to fossil
myriad of possible governing coalitions.
14
politics The Free Democrats’ penchant for
(AFD) resulted in nearly ninety
as only covering a portion of their
privatisation and tax cuts for high
seats for a party which epitomised
retirement lifestyle.
earners makes them the natural
most voters’ disapproval. This
partners for Laschet’s CDU in
does not appear to have been
The recently touted ‘Ampel’ or
a ‘Black/Yellow’ coalition but
replicated
polling has not indicated that both
electoral cycle which may dampen
parties would command a majority
their
together.
leader
Primacy of the pandemic in daily
previously
life, rise in climate consciousness
walked out of coalition talks after
exemplified by the recent flooding
the 2017 election due to red lines
and the tangible concerns over the
regarding tax policy and fears over
raising of the national pension age
an insignificant influence over the
have superseded prior electoral
legislative agenda. Secondly, the
concerns over immigration.
Greens have based their climate
With twenty percent of the German
Christian
The
FDP’s
Lindner
“
in
electoral
the
subsequent performance.
The debate over the role of the state has been hotly contested as it must be viewed within the context of the immense role played in shaping policy played by regional government across Germany
investment programmes as paid
population over sixty-five, greater
for by creating a new forty-eight
pressures have been placed on the
percent tax bracket for wealthy
existing state pension scheme.
Germans which led Lindner to rule
When the modern system was
out serving in any coalition with
created in its current iteration in
Baerbock’s party.
the seventies, pensioners simply
The 2017 election was largely
were not expected to live as long
characterised
as
a
reprimand
by the electorate of the Merkel government’s immigration policies, which facilitated the migration of hundreds of thousands of refugees into Germany. The rise of the farright Alternative for Deutschland
15
and thereby receive the pension for an average of fifteen years for men and nineteen years for women. An Ipsos/Deutsche Bank survey found fifty percent of pensioners expect the system will eventually collapse and seventy-five percent viewed it
‘traffic light’ coalition between the Greens, SDP and FDP has been cited as an anti-conservative bloc which would accelerate the liberalisation of Germany’s existing legislation
concerning
social
matters, having relatively recently legalised
same-sex
marriage.
The three parties broadly favour progressing in the legalisation of marijuana which has been rejected by the CDU and Laschet alike. The Free Democrats have favoured a wholesale privatisation of key elements of the social safety net to ease the fiscal burden on the state. The debate over the role of the state has been hotly contested as it must be viewed within the context of the immense role played in shaping policy played by regional governments
across
Germany.
While all three traffic light parties share similar positions on social matters,
the
parties
possess
diametrically opposed views over how best to bring Germany out of the pandemic and the nature of its economic agenda thereby leaving this coalition less likely to become a reality. Both Laschet’s CDU and Scholz’s SDP share the same foreign policy record for the past eight years. Both leaders are committed Europhiles, while Laschet reaffirmed his party’s desire for a tightening of covid expenditure once the pandemic has subsided in a move deemed
politics
analogous to the position held by Merkel towards the
with China due to human rights abuses, and to force a
countries who required bailouts from the IMF and
greater embrace of clean energy and the dismantling
Troika. The Green party has positioned itself as the
of the nation’s burgeoning coal plant network. The
counter-force to the two-party coalitions as it vies for
party delivered a similar diatribe against the EU for
an EU-wide sixty euro per tonne carbon tax.
their recent trade agreement with the PRC. Baerbock
The Greens have aligned themselves as the most
has pushed for a re-evaluation of EU trade laws with
compatible party with the new Biden administration to
nations which do not share its values and a bloc-wide
combat the climate crisis and work with the US to form
minimum standards in production of goods to maintain
a bi-lateral alliance to create greater co-operation on
the push for carbon reduction.
areas of shared concerns. This was best exemplified
The three main parties vying for the chancellorship
by the Nord Stream II gas pipeline; first proposed
and the Free Democrats as a coalition partner will
by former SDP Chancellor Gerhart Schröder and
shape the next German Government. Polling strongly
continued under Merkel’s successive governments.
suggests that the SPD will return to the Bundestag as
The pipeline’s dependency on Russian gas has faced
the largest party, but it is not necessarily guaranteed
condemnation by critics of the Putin regime who cite
that Olaf Sholz will be the next chancellor. The Greens’
clear breeches in law during the invasion of Crimea
performance will determine the extent to which
and the recent imprisonment of Alexei Navalny. The
they could lead a traffic light coalition, or whether
Greens have expressed their wish for the project to
they could extract policy concessions from a Black/
be abandoned, while both Scholz and Laschet had
Green coalition with their CDU rivals and create a
minimised concerns over the Russian government’s
mutual power dynamic, rather than the typical senior/
prior conduct by suggesting that the pipeline could be
junior coalition as exists presently. In addition to the
switched off were the situation in Eastern Europe to
Greens, the CDU’s post-election sentiments will be
worsen.
key as to whether its members are content to remain
Similarly, the German government’s relationship with
in government or favour becoming the leading party of
China, its main trading partner, emerged as another
opposition. Ultimately, the German election will be a
hotly contested area in framing the direction of the
plebiscite as to whether voters desire a continutation of
federal government. The Greens attacked the CDU
the status quo, a right-leaning coalition, or alternatively
and SDP’s conciliatory stance in maintaining strong
whether the three main socially liberal parties can
economic ties with the Chinese state. The Greens
overcome their differences to end the CDU’s sixteen-
have advocated for a halt to further trade agreements
year tenure in office.
16
politics
Unionism Divided:
The Downfall of the DUP and the Polarisation of Unionism by David Wolfe
W
hile there are numerous flashpoints from which one could begin to trace the emergence of turmoil in the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), beginning perhaps as far back as the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU in 2016, the tipping point which set the party hurtling down its current trajectory came about on April 27. On that date 23 of the DUP’s 28 MLAs, as well as a majority of its Westminster MPs, signed a letter of no confidence in Arlene Foster. The following day, Foster announced her resignation, sparking a turbulent series of events which would reveal bitter internal divisions in a party desperate to maintain its dominant position in Northern politics. The ensuing leadership contest, the first in the DUP’s history, saw Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots secure the position over Lagan Valley MP, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson by a slim margin of 19 votes to 17. A disastrous period of discreet meetings and a lack of transparency saw Poots follow the same path as his predecessor a mere three weeks later. Donaldson subsequently took the helm uncontested, becoming the third leader of the party in as many months. Northern Ireland’s leading unionist party was anything but united. That this tumultuous series of events early in the summer signalled a more fundamental crisis in the DUP was clear to many. The unpalatable Brexit package which placed a trade barrier down the Irish Sea was one significant catalyst of unionist
17
anger, stirring dissent within the party. By leaving Northern Ireland more aligned with the rest of the EU than with Great Britain, Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal was a betrayal for the DUP who, alone of Stormont’s major parties, championed Brexit as a means of bringing Ulster closer to the rest of the UK. It seems they were left with the opposite outcome. Reeling from this symbolic loss and feeling the pressure from the party grassroots, DUP Assembly members pushed against the leadership whom they felt had failed by accepting
politics
Statue of Edward Carson, founder of the Ulster Unionist Party, in Front of Stormont an Irish Sea border. By making a scapegoat of elections. Now polls are even more stark; Foster, party representatives saw the opportunity LucidTalk’s latest figures, released on 28 August, to keep voters on side and minimise losses at the exactly four months after Foster’s resignation, ballot box.
Such concerns for the party’s electoral prospects were indeed justified. Polls conducted in the weeks following Foster’s announcement of her
show the DUP at an astonishing 13%, surpassed by its two rival unionist parties. Startlingly for unionists of all stripes, were an election to be held in the near future, Michelle O’Neill would become
resignation showed that the party had suffered First Minister, while the DUP would find itself a significant blow, receiving only 16% of voters’ well out of reach of even the position of deputy first preferences in LucidTalk’s quarterly ‘tracker’ First Minister. This represents a seismic shift in poll, a dramatic fall from 28.1% in 2017 Assembly
the political landscape of Northern Ireland.
18
politics What it interesting about this is that although it crowns Sinn Féin the biggest party in Northern Ireland, were each unionist entity to coalesce and stand for election as a block, they would still hold the balance of power in Stormont – a combined 43% share of the vote to Sinn Féin’s 25% according to the poll. The obstacle to their success, however, and the key to Sinn Féin’s, is that this unionist plurality is split three ways: between the historically hegemonic Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the currently-in-crisis DUP, and the rapidly growing Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV). Until now a merely peripheral presence in Stormont, with party leader Jim Allister its only MLA, TUV has soared in popularity. Its phenomenal surge from 2.9% in 2017 to 14% in the most recent poll indicates that it is there that a large proportion of former DUP voters are migrating. In their own words, “TUV was formed in December 2007 to give voice to Traditional Unionists throughout Northern Ireland who reject unrepentant terrorists at the heart of government and who feel betrayed by those who ushered them into government.” In refusing to “sacrifice their principles for power” by supporting power-sharing with Sinn Féin, Jim Allister and the TUV are vocal reminders that the DUP did just that, altering its stance on the Good Friday Agreement in order to take office. For this reason, despite a common unionist identity, and near identical socially conservative platform, no such coalition between the DUP and TUV is realistic. Though the UUP have enjoyed less transferred support than Jim Allister’s party, their superior status prior to the DUP’s downfall has meant that a relatively moderate growth in popularity has pushed them over the line to become the largest unionist entity in the Assembly. The party’s newfound support can be attributed to the direction taken by its new leader, Doug Beattie, its share of the poll rising by 2% in each of the two polls since his accession. Beattie, who officially became leader of the party the very day before Foster announced
19
“
To usurp the DUP as the dominant force within unionism is no insignificant achievement for a mere four months as leader
politics her resignation, promised to reach out to people of Northern Ireland, “regardless of…religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity.” His more liberal brand of unionism seemingly attracted a small portion of DUP defectors who wished to take a step to the left of their former party. However, it is entirely at odds with the philosophies of its counterparts in the DUP and TUV, both of which entirely oppose gay marriage, and actively defend the practice of conversion therapy, Foster’s neutral stance on the latter having been a deciding factor of her downfall. As such, unionism remains splintered and unable to form a united bloc which would prevent Sinn Féin becoming the largest party in the Assembly and holding the position of first minister. In the wake of Brexit, there was growing evidence that a proportion of liberal-minded protestants had taken their leave of the DUP and were instead gravitating towards the political centre-ground. The 2019 council elections were the triumph of the Alliance Party, which though traditionally predominantly protestant, characterises itself as being neutral on the union, and stood in favour of remaining in the EU. At those elections, Alliance more than doubled its vote, at the time making it the North’s third largest political party. Additionally, deputy leader Stephen Farry won the Westminster constituency of North Down, which despite a substantial unionist majority, voted to remain by 52% to 48% in 2016. At EU elections the same
identity image of the Alliance Party. If this was a deliberate move, it is one worthy of major political admiration. In doing so he removed the threat that Alliance posed as a refuge for disillusioned DUP supporters, and instead remade the UUP as a haven where protestants could retain their unionist identity as well as embracing slightly more progressive politics. To usurp the DUP as the dominant force within unionism is no insignificant achievement for a mere four months as leader. The dramatic decline of the DUP has resulted in not only the disunity of a political party, but in the severe polarisation of an entire political identity into three distinct camps. While the UUP may lead marginally, TUV and the ‘rump’ of the DUP do not trail far behind. It is entirely possible that the outcome of Assembly elections in May will lead to the suspension of Stormont. In fact, Allister has suggested that the Unionist parties should collectively agree to refuse to nominate a Unionist as Deputy First Minister, should Sinn Fein become the largest party in Stormont at the next election. While the unionist factions may be unable to reach a compromise which allows one of their own to remain First Minister, denying Sinn Féin the opportunity may be more easily agreed upon, even if it meant the implementation of direct rule from Westminster. Indeed, the maintenance of
year (the UK’s last as a member state), the UUP British rule rather than a Republican government lost its seat to Alliance, one of three Northern Irish is the very soul of unionism, and is therefore a seats in the European parliament. likely outcome of recent political developments. All of this indicated that Alliance may indeed be Whether or not a government is formed, an attracting the support of the not-insignificant election which crowned Sinn Féin the largest party minority of moderate unionists who backed in the Northern Assembly would nonetheless be a Remain in 2016. Betrayed by Westminster, and historic defeat for unionism – a defeat which will disillusioned with the DUP, many protestants were truly mark a new era for Northern politics. seeking a new political safehouse. Deliberately or otherwise, Beattie saw these voters on the market and scrupulously remodelled the UUP (who themselves opposed Brexit) in the liberal, multi-
20
economy
The Housing Crisis:
F
Market Failure or Global Phenomenon? by Catherine Forristal
or many people, the reality of the housing crisis - sky-rocketing rents, evictions, and lack of affordable housing - also means the inability to have a real place to call home. Property and land ownership have strong cultural significance in postcolonial Ireland. In a culture where ownership of land and property has been hailed as essential to human personhood and fundamental to selfdetermination, this consistent failure to provide adequate and affordable housing has, quite literally, locked a generation out of Ireland. It is common k n o w l e d g e that the Irish housing market is at breaking point. Countless promises of affordable housing from the government have been made to the Irish people since 2009. However, the future of the housing market remains unclear. The Central Bank of Ireland estimates that Ireland must build 34,000 new homes each year for the next ten years in order to keep up with demand. However, according to Tom Hayes, Chief Executive of Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking, this gap between supply and
21
demand will not close for at least the next five years.
The Budget 2021 allocated €3.3 billion for housing delivery, with a target of building just under 13,000 homes, which also expands on the Programme for Government (PfG) commitment to a 50,000 increase in housing stock over the Government’s lifetime. However, the construction of private housing does not necessarily equate to meaningful change, nor is this an indicator of affordability. As Dr. Rory Hearne, professor of social policy at Maynooth University, puts it, “It is not all about supply- It is about the type of supply.” Moreover, a recent report from Irish Institutional Property has indicated that the housing market needs €16bn in investment each year if the housing crisis is to be tatckled effectively. Ronan Lyons, the property economist behind this report, has declared that 50,000 homes need to be built each year in Ireland in order to “reflect the country’s demographics”. This report also predicts that this funding would have to be sourced from global investors, which, according to Dr. Hearne, art by Jennifer Hill
economy is part of the problem.
clearly going to be ineffective.”
The vacant site levy and Land Development Agency (LDA), introduced in 2015 and 2018 Dr. Hearne, along with many other policy analysts, respectively, aimed to free up unused land for have consistently criticized wider government housing and encouraged vacant land to be bought policy since 2010 which aimed to encourage global and developed. investors and vulture However, Dermot O’Leary, Chief Economist at funds to discharge Goodbody Stockbrokers, has commented that toxic Tpreviously. these initiatives have been implemented “rather This agency aimed meekly […] the LDA has been slow off the mark, to relieve major Irish with some State agencies seemingly reluctant to banks of their property allow it to interfere with their land holdings. It is loans and manage the unlikely that it will supply homes to the market debts of borrowers, in scale for quite some time. A greater urgency is taking over their required.” Are we trying to remedy the symptoms of the problem rather than the cause?
“
Are we trying to remedy the symptoms of the problem rather than the cause?
properties if they were unable to keep up with their payments. Once the property market began to recover, NAMA began selling these loans to developers.
In short, the establishment of the Land Development Agency has not been without flaws. This consistent disconnect between the LDA, local councils and other organs of government has meant delays punctuate each minor success.
Ultimately, while these initiatives were created with the right intentions and have resulted in some While rising rents were seen as promising signs of regional success, it is clear that there must be more recovery of the property market, the implications consistent and thorough implementation of these of these policies are still felt today, evident with laws in order to reduce delays in the delivery of vulture funds hoarding land originally purchased social housing. from NAMA, and global investors such as Ires Furthermore, according to the Oireachtas’ Reit raising rents exponentially and competing Parliamentary Budget Office (OPBO), €2.3 with potential first-time buyers. million due under the vacant site levy were According to an article from the Irish Times, outstanding at the end of the year, while just these so-called “cuckoo funds” bought a fifth of all €882,000 had been collectedt by local councils. This is believed to have been caused by ambiguity homes purchased in 2017. “The level of housing need and distress is over three surrounding the definition of a “vacant site”, along times the current waiting lists. If you include those with issues in the administration of changes in homeless, on housing lists, in receipt of Rental land ownership. Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), home owners in long term arrears and renters with unaffordable housing costs and in buy-to-lets in arrears, it is a total of 270,000 households (likely to be over half a million people). When policies continue to deny and underestimate the real scale of need they are
This vicious cycle of half-hearted attempts to remedy the effects of this overwhelming crisis has been summarised by last year’s report from the National Economic and Social Council: “Without a change in the system, we are condemned to an endless sequence of isolated measures that seek to generate a little more viability, a slight
22
economy reduction in risk, a marginal increase in supply, a slightly higher share of affordable housing and a minor shift from greenfield to brownfield development”. It is also impossible to discuss the current housing crisis without also addressing the current rates of homelessness. Focus Ireland have released figures that indicate that over 8,000 families are officially homeless as of July 2021. This figure has increased by 232% since July 2014. For many homelessness campaigners and advocates, the discourse surrounding the housing crisis and the economy need to have those affected at its centre- Dr. Rory Hearne says that these human stories need to be told alongside theoretical and economic arguments. Without this human
right to dignity, security and life itself”. For Irish people under British rule, the deprivation of land and the inability to own property were intrinsically linked with their oppression and subordination. Irrespective of this complex cultural history, legal scholars such as Margaret Jane Radin argue that the ownership of property is essential in human self-development and fulfillment. Furthermore, the United Nations has criticised the current global property market, stating that: “Housing has been financialised: valued as a commodity rather than a human dwelling, it has become, for investors, a means to secure and accumulate wealth rather than a place to live in dignity, to raise a family and thrive within a
dimension, it can be easy to detach from the very real struggle that much of the Irish population currently face: “Deprivations of the right to adequate housing are not just programme failures or policy challenges but human rights violations of the highest order, depriving those affected of the most basic human
community...” In a strange way, it could be argued that the Irish government has turned this complex history on its head. Rather than an external force locking the Irish people out from their homes, it is now our own leaders who have thrown away the key.
23
Source: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
economy
I
Universal Basic Income: Tackling Poverty Head On
by Eoin USSHER
f you were following the news in the second
is reaching a crisis point. The situation is in fact so bad
weekend of August, you may have seen an absolutely
in parts of the US that the average life expectancy is now
transformative piece of news for the average US citizen:
lower than Cuba, a country the US has imposed vicious
The value of the federal food stamp was increased by
blockades on for decades. President Biden warned that
25%. The federal food stamp is an incredibly important
the US has fallen behind its main rival, China, quite
piece of US social security. If increasing social services,
frequently during his first hundred days. This warning
especially the ones that combat poverty, are to be a part
is seen as a symbolic opening stanza for his presidency.
of policy in the next few years then the conversation
He lamented that America’s roads and rail network
needs to get serious about universal basic income
simply cannot compete with what the Chinese are
(UBI). UBI has been one of the most visible debates
developing, and is pushing a Bipartisan Infrastructure
in the last three to four years of political discussion,
bill, among others, to close the gap. However, the US
with definitions remaining relatively fluid, and several
is rapidly falling behind in other key areas. China has
countries implementing UBI trials. The discussion
outstripped the US terms of GDP (purchasing power
centers around three things: Is this the answer to the
parity). China will likely have the largest middle class
economic inequality crisis? Why is it necessary, here in
in the world, with an estimated 1.2 billion people being
Ireland and abroad? Why start with the United States?
considered part of it by 2027. Finally, and perhaps most
The US is perhaps the most important battleground
importantly, the US is so far behind China in regards to
in regards to UBI. Despite being one of the wealthiest
food poverty that there are now Chinese ad campaigns
nations on the planet, it suffers from high levels of
asking for Chinese donations to help feed hungry
economic inequality, with access to many basic services
Americans.
being out of reach for those unable to afford them. This
This is where food stamps enter the equation. Right now,
24
economy the best weapon the US has to combat starvation – not
drugs, tobacco, and alcohol by 39 percent on average,
poverty, but starvation – is the US federal food stamp,
and increased spending on food, clothes, and rent,
a resource which about 16% of children in the US are
according to self-reports.” This is evidence that cash
dependent on. With a trillion dollars no longer devoted
transfers improve people’s lives. Imagine what a
to a winless, imperialist war in Afghanistan, the US
thousand Canadian dollars a month could have done.
would do well to invest some of that money in poverty
Similarly, let’s look at what some commentators have
alleviation programmes, and particular consideration
called the only existing UBI system in the world: The
should be given to the idea of universal basic income.
Alaskan oil-funded Permanent Fund Dividend. Every
The US, and indeed, the rest of the world, could put a
year since 1982, the Alaska state government
serious dent in the extraordinary economic inequality
has granted somewhere between nine
figures that we are seeing with UBI. That is, of course,
hundred and two thousand dollars
“
It is vital that we develop an alternative to simply cutting off these workers that have been squeezed out of jobs
if governments around
once a year as a non-means
the globe can overcome
tested transfer to Alaskan
conservative
people.
politics
and corporate lobbyists.
an
For example, the Irish
conservative
Business and Employers
state in the US,
Confederation (IBEC),
dominated by
the
Republicans.
largest
lobbying
The
home
said that UBI would
of
Sarah
“undermine our current
Palin
active
market
conservative
policies”, which would
heaven, yet
“result in labour supply
they
challenges
implemented
labour
and
could
diminish overall labour
a
cost competitiveness in
UBI.
the economy.”
has
However, the reality is that people simply do not spend money on vices
We are often told that you should not give money to the homeless, that a lot of homeless people suffer from addiction issues and will inevitably spend the money you give them on drugs and alcohol. As with many myths about homeless people, research simply doesn’t back this up. A Canadian study which gave a sample of homeless people in an urban area 7,500 CAD found that the outcome for them were incredibly positive: “[The homeless participants] decreased spending on
is
incredibly
group in Ireland has
and pointless goods when they are in desperate need.
25
Alaska
is
have form
of
Research shown
that
this does not hurt employment, in fact it seems to have a positive effect on part-time employment, nor does it lead to the feared hyperinflation scenario or mass spending on substances like tobacco or alcohol. These typical anti-welfare arguments fail to hold up against UBI, at least in the US. In some industries, the discussion around UBI is becoming a necessity for society as a whole. In the US, the most common job in 29 of the 50 states is listed as ‘truck driver’. NPR, who compiled one of these lists, summarized why: “Driving a truck has been immune
to two of the biggest trends
affecting
U.S.
jobs: globalization and automation. A worker in China can’t drive a truck in Ohio, and machines
can’t
drive
cars.” Of course, they had to follow this
economy
“
In the next few decades we are going to be in a position where a lot of industries have simply disappeared and their workers have nowhere to go” children in poverty. To center the truck driving
with the crucial word: “Yet”. We are
example in Ireland, we have about 20,000 people
inevitably going to live to see
employed in this industry, according to the Ten-year
the development of AI that
Strategy for the Haulage Sector, First Consultation
can fulfil these roles.
Document produced during the last government. It is
When this happens,
vital that we develop an alternative to simply cutting
and
when
this
off these workers that have been squeezed out of jobs.
technology
gets
We must find a way to ensure that people have a basic
rolled out, we
fallback upon which to rely when the great shift in the
will see the
next industrial revolution hits, or we end up with a
collapse
of
homeless crisis stemming from a larger root problem
many
job
than housing supply. Our economy needs innovation
sectors,
on a scale it simply never has before. Plenty of schemes
such as the
similar to UBI have been promoted here. Despite what
truck driving
IBEC believes, it is clear that we need a radical new
i n d u st r y.
model of one kind or another. Threshold, our housing
In
US
charity, has pointed out that “Minimum-wage earners
especially this
would pay 82% of net income on renting an average
will labour of
the cause
a
collapse
one-bedroom apartment.” People cannot afford to eat on what is left over.
unprecedented
So what’s our conclusion here? Ireland, the US, and
scale. From Georgia
the world need to win the new war on poverty and
to California, Maine to
enact economic policies which improve the lives of the
Oregon, about 3.5 million
very poorest. UBI is the best and easiest way they have
people, mostly older men, will
of doing that right now. We can see that people do not
be simply out of work. Europe would not
destroy their lives when given ‘free money’; we can see
fare much better, with about 6% of the EU’s workforce
that their outcomes improve. We can see our labour
being employed in various transport operations.
policies here are no longer fit for purpose, and that in
Adding an additional 6% to the current unemployment
the next few decades we are going to be in a position
rate would bring us to similar levels as the recession in
where a lot of industries have simply disappeared and
2008. How do we deal with this?
their workers have nowhere to go.
In Ireland, there are people forced to forgo food in
UBI is a solution. UBI could be the solution.
order to pay rent. The Irish economy simply could not handle 6% unemployment. We already have 190,000
26
scitech
Duty of Poor Care:
Women’s Health Still Stuck in the Back Seat? words and art by Ella Sloane
I
n March 2020 COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The outbreak of this deadly virus has once again unearthed the overwhelming gender disparities that have left and continue to leave women’s health on the margins, with a lack of support and clear government guidance for pregnant women surrounding maternity care and vaccinations being some of the most prominent issues. From the onset, it was clear to many expectant mothers that their health was not a priority and advice pertaining to maternity care was minimal in comparison to recommendations for reopening pubs, restaurants, and social gatherings such as weddings, to name a few. In Ireland, maternity care has been repeatedly put on the back burner throughout the pandemic as the government has failed to provide clear guidance for expecting parents in their COVID roadmaps. Many women have had to suffer through incredibly isolating and anxious pregnancies, being forced to give birth alone whilst social gatherings of a far larger scale continue to be accommodated. Furthermore, not every mother experienced the same level of precautions during their birth due to differing rules between hospitals, in what has been deemed a ‘postcode lottery’ of sorts. The long-term effects of the strain of these pregnancies is yet to be seen, but research is already
“
indicating a rise in levels of mental health issues - such as postnatal depression - in pandemic mothers. A recent study carried out by University College London determined that almost half of women (47.5%) with a baby aged six months or less met the threshold for postnatal depression during the first COVID-19 lockdown period. These rates are more than double the average for Europe pre-pandemic (23%). This seed of woeful neglect was sown when the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to exclude “premenopausal females capable of becoming pregnant” from their clinical trials from 1977 through 1993. The policy was inaugurated with the intention to prevent potential fetal damage due to exposure to certain drugs, and was recommended to remain in place until further reproductive toxicity studies had been carried out. Not only did this assume that all women falling under this category wished to have children or could not take appropriate measures to avoid becoming pregnant when participating in these trials, it also decided on behalf of the female population that the benefits of protecting the fetus outweighed other possible health concerns.
Almost half of women with a baby aged six months or less met the threshold for postnatal depression... more than double the average for Europe pre-pandemic
27
scitech Following an examination of the ethics and legality of these assumptions, the policy was reconsidered. In 1993, the FDA formally rescinded the policy that excluded women from clinical trials after receiving pressure from numerous women’s health advocacy groups including the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. Undoubtedly, the gaping hole of research on the effects of certain drugs on women has had a detrimental knock-on effect for the decades to come. Long-standing societal taboos and stigma surrounding the open discussion of reproductive health are largely to blame for the significant portion of underresearched women’s health conditions. Worldwide, girls and women have been conditioned from a young age to remain silent on the topics of menstruation and sexual health, and the idea that their periods - a reality that most have to face monthly are ‘impure’ is instilled in many. These barriers are difficult to break down, but doing so is fundamental to the development of an increased understanding of the wide-ranging issues specifically pertaining to women’s health. An estimated 10% of women have endometriosis, a debilitating gynaecological condition which leads to symptoms such as fatigue, severe pelvic pain and heavy periods. Despite this staggering statistic, the condition remains under researched, underfunded, poorly understood and without a cure. Endometriosis often goes undiagnosed for years due the systemic tendency to dismiss
women’s pain. In fact, one UK government survey revealed that 40% of women suffering from the condition had visited their doctor 10 or more times before finally being referred to a specialist. Due to the persistence of menstrual taboos, a lack of awareness or discomfort in admitting their symptoms to a doctor can also lead to delays in diagnosis. Another prominent example of the frequency of misdiagnosis in women is heart disease, which is proven to have lethal outcomes. Currently, heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S., killing more than all cancers combined. Due to the harmful assumption that heart disease occurs mainly in men, many women and doctors fail to take the symptoms seriously, resulting in preventable fatalities. When addressing issues of women’s health it is vital that intersectionality theories are applied to epidemiologic studies. Evidence has shown that simply being a white cisgender female results in deep-rooted marginalisation within healthcare, however this issue is starkly compounded for trans women and women of colour (WOC). Trans women face discrimination on a far greater scale as well as delayed access and barriers to crucial medical care. There is a severe lack of understanding amongst medical professionals due to the erasure of trans women from medical research, a data void which urgently needs to be addressed in order to provide appropriate and informed medical treatment for trans women.
28
scitech Similarly, women of colour are endangered by neglect in healthcare, a fact which is evident in the racial gap in cervical cancer deaths, maternal care and newborn care to name but a few. Evidently, women are still being excluded from medical research today. Most notably pregnant women were not included in the majority of initial COVID-19 vaccination trials, a decision which is proving problematic, leaving a data void and a trail of vague and conflicting recommendations for those seeking vaccinations. This confusion has resulted in a delay in inoculation of pregnant women, leaving them more susceptible to infection. There is now evidence to suggest that pregnant women are more at risk of admission to the ICU and less likely to display symptoms of COVID-19 making this exclusion all the more concerning. As it stands, the current advice from the HSE is that pregnant women can avail of the vaccination programme at or after 14 weeks of pregnancy- a decision that is stated as a precautionary measure.
Women account for 70% of the world’s healthcare and social workers, immediately placing them on the frontline during an emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This can have devastating implications for women’s health, both mental and physical. Not only are women being put at a high risk of infection due to exposure to the virus through the frontline roles that they dominate, they also face an increased amount of mental strain. This is only exacerbated by the extra pressure of childcare - a role that still predominantly falls on mothers - due to prolonged school and creche closures creating a vicious cycle.
“Women
are still being excluded from medical research today
Evidence suggests that the ongoing pattern of exclusion widens a preexisting trust gap and could be causing higher levels of vaccine hesitancy amongst women. It is perhaps unsurprising that after decades of medical controversies involving female patients in Ireland such as the CervicalCheck scandal, the female population are less likely to say they would get vaccinated. Research from NUIG demonstrated the gender gap in vaccine hesitancy, with 31% of women under 30 saying they will not take the vaccine or they are unsure, compared to 18% of men. In the age category over 30, 76% of women indicated that they would get vaccinated, whereas 85% of men did. In contrast, women are more likely to adhere to public health advice such as wearing masks, a seemingly contradictory finding which begs the question, why?
29
As well as the previously mentioned lack of trust in medical establishments that has been fostered amongst women, there are also concerns about the vaccine’s effect on fertility due to insufficient clarity and the minimal clinical trials on pregnant women. Whatever the root of this divide may be, Ireland is certainly not an outlier in this concerning gender-gap regarding vaccine hesitancy as it is visible in many other countries worldwide.
Evidently, pandemics are not a genderneutral issue, something which authorities globally should be obliged to recognise and address. Yet, the truth of the matter is that even in 2021, as women carry the majority of physical and psychological burdens of a global emergency on their shoulders, their health continues to be inadequately researched, funded and dismissed by medical professionals and the people around them. Although discussion and research on issues surrounding women’s health has been gradually accumulating at a promising rate in recent years, there is an urgent need for an inclusive and intersectional approach to be applied in order to fill gaps in knowledge of WOC and transgender women’s health.
scitech
WHO’S WATCHING? The terrifyng implications of Pegasus Spyware
A
by Aidan Desjardins
software sold by a cyber warfare company
another link or program. Amnesty International
to rogue nations to spy on citizens should
has archived hundreds of such links as part of
be the plot of a subpar action movie. Probably
their security report on the software, many
one where the final scene ends with the over the
of which were designed by NSO group with a
top destruction of an underwater base. Yet, as
specific target in mind. However, this is just the
revelations this year have uncovered, this story is
tip of the iceberg, as these links may no longer be
not just a reality, but an instance that brings about
necessary. More recent attacks by the software
troubling questions. The idea of Pegasus is far
did not require the victim to interact at all with
from new. Governments have invaded the privacy
phishing techniques. These “zero-click” attacks
of their citizenry and others for years. However, the scale, scope, and sophistication of the Pegasus software is disturbing. Will we ever be able to understand the full scope of what has occurred? Are we ready for what may come next? In truth, our organs of government and international policy are not equipped to handle such a situation. We need to face the reality that we must act now, or fall trap to the possibility of a post-privacy world.
were able to install the software onto a victims device simply by attempting to connect to their device through unanswered texts or calls. This method is especially troubling when partnered with the fact that Pegasus was able to circumvent the security protocols for many popular apps, such as Whatsapp and iMessage, leaving millions of devices around the globe potentially vulnerable. More troubling still was the level
Pegasus at its core is a program designed to
of information Pegasus gave to attackers. Once
extract as much information from its victims
installed, the software was able to access all of
as possible. Designed by the cyber warfare firm
one’s text messages, emails, GPS data, and files,
NSO Group, the software benefits from a team
and was further able to activate devices’ video and
of experts many of which served with Unit 8200,
audio recording capabilities, allowing attackers
the cyber intelligence department of the Israeli
to directly spy on victims. While the ability to
Defence Force. The program is what is known
spy on individuals by gaining access to their
as a “trojan horse”, due to the fact that it gains
personal devices is nothing new, the precision
access to a victim’s device by disguising itself as
and the sophistication of the Pegasus program is
scitech unprecedented and outstrips any previously known spy
as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as backsliding
programs to date.
democracies such as Hungary and Mexico, who’ve been
It should be noted that surveillance and cyber attack programs are not a new phenomena. At time of writing, the Center for Strategic and International Studies has identified 54 major incidents, or incidents that have
using the software to target political opponents and journalists who’ve been critical of their governments. A far cry from the purported sticker use of protecting national security.
resulted in more that one million USD in damages,
As more revelations about the Pegasus software have
since the beginning of 2021 alone. Further, the idea
emerged, these stories about its true usage have only
of rationalizing such programs as methods to combat
become more prevalent. One notable case that has been
crime and terrorism is far from a new idea. Take the US
revealed was its use to monitor the communications of
The precision and the sophistication of the Pegasus program is unprecedented
Jamal Khasoggi, the journalist and political activist
“
who was murdered by the Saudi government for his opposition to the monarchy. As part of his lawsuit against the Saudi government, Khasoggi’s friend and fellow activist Omar Abdulazziz revealed that his phone was one of the thousands that were tapped, and the information garnered from it likely led to the order for Khasoggi’s gruesome killing. However, Saudi Arabia is not alone in this abuse: the UAE used the software to monitor the communications of Princess Litifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum and those close to her prior
PATRIOT Act. The bill, signed into law shortly after
to her abduction in 2018. The information gathered
9/11, gave US Law enforcement the ability to access US
by Pegasus was most likely instrumental to the UAE’s
citizens’ SMS, email, and banking records, all without prior legal authorization. More so, authoritarian governments such as China, Russia, and North Korea have regularly used cyber attacks to extract information from both their own citizens and those outside of their jurisdiction. What makes the Pegasus software different is its aforementioned scale and its specificity. A report published by the New York Times described an incident in which the NSO Group, at the behest of security officials from the United Arab Emirates,
“
It could be configured to delete itself once a device was turned off, making it untraceable
extracted recordings from the phones of the Emir of
operation to locate her during her attempted escape.
Qatar, the former prime minister of Lebanon, and an
Further, the software was used to monitor those who
emirati human rights activist, all in an attempt to sell
sought to ascertain her safety prior to her reemergence
the software’s abilities. They went on to demonstrate
into public life this year. This use of the Pegasus software
that not only was the software nearly undetectable
to monitor political opponents has garnered more than
on the devices it was installed on, but it could also be
criticism. A group of journalists from Mexico, many of
configured to delete itself once a device is turned off,
whom have advocated for opposition positions or have
making it untraceable. This lack of a paper trail is a
participated in investigations of prominent Mexican
major draw to many of NSO Group’s customers, such
politicians, have brought a number of legal cases
31
scitech
against the Mexican government and the NSO Group.
such as the aforementioned cases brought against the
However, will legal cases be enough to stop the abuse
NSO Group are frankly not enough of a deterrent. Both
of this software? Can the laws on the books realistically
the corporations who develop these invasive programs,
keep up with technological advancement? Is it possible
and the state actors who purchase them, should be
to create a legal framework that can adequately protect
punished for their use. Whether this be by sanctions or
individuals from such invasive technology? Now is the
a stronger international framework of privacy policy
time for careful consideration as we move forward.
remains to be seen. In truth, the pace of technological
Nonetheless, solutions do exist that could help protect
development will prove such actions difficult. In such a
us from the next Pegasus, and hold perpetrators
case, it may be time to consider the reality that we are
responsible for their actions.
moving more and more to a post-privacy world, where
The two most important strategies to combat programs
our data is simply another resource for countries to
such as Pegasus are transparency and holding those
battle over. As these cases crop up more and more, it
responsible for such attacks to account. Transparency
may be time to consider that privacy may become a
in this respect comes in two ways: transparency
thing of the past.
from security firms and transparency from state
The revelations brought about by the Pegasus software
actors. Companies involved in the security of our
have demonstrated that there is a clear and present
devices, whether they be manufacturers or software
danger to our privacy. Firms like the NSO Group are
developers, have a duty of care to disclose attacks
profiting off of this insecurity, all whilst assisting in
and breaches in our security. Similarly, governments
the dangerous and potentially deadly actions of state
must disclose and keep a record of the technology
actors. As we are set to enter an age in which the most
used by law enforcement . While some may argue this
private communications and records are accessible
may contradict security interests, the rampant abuse
to those who possess such software, without legal
of this technology and continued intrusion on the
authorization and under the guise of protecting law
individual’s privacy has clearly demonstrated a need
and order, we must endeavor to act. Pegasus will not be
for oversight. This oversight has been stewarded by
the last story like this, but it should be a wake up call. A
the countless journalists who have put themselves in
choice lies ahead of us as a society: do nothing, and give
danger by reporting on such abuse. As such, any sort
up our rights to privacy and security; or act, and ensure
of protection should extend further to those who have
cases like these are not front page news, but rather sub-
worked tirelessly to defend our privacy. Of course,
par plots for the silver screen.
we must also hold the perpetrators of such attacks to account as well. Legal challenges by private citizens,
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MISC. Magazine
Thank you to all our contributors, artists and writers: with special thanks to our cover artist Clara Cronin, Grace Gageby and Trinity Publications.
curiosity fosters discussion
Founded in 1895, Misc Magazine is Ireland’s oldest student publication. We strive to showcase perspectives on the political, cultural and scientific zeitgeist of Ireland and farther afield. As a publication, we encourage ingenuity of thought and encourage creativity in the fields of research and innovation, in both our writing and our artwork.