The Case of Ireland: Commerce, Empire and the European Order

In this episode, Lasse Andersen speaks with Dr James Stafford about his book The Case of Ireland: Commerce, Empire and the European Order, 1776-1848 (CUP, 2022). The topics of discussion cover many aspects of James’ book, including the impact of the American and French Revolutions on Irish politics; the Enlightenment critique of Empire in Ireland; Adam Smith’s proposal for a Union between Britain and Ireland; the prospect of Ireland becoming a free port for international trade; the Napoleonic Wars and their effects on Ireland and on the British perception of Ireland, and the continental critique of Britain’s failure to address the issues of the Irish economy.