The Irish political system is interesting in this regard. It has been a very long time since the two main parties have had any significant policy differences. As a result politics consists of competing to administer the policy consensus which is developed outside the party system in 'civil society'. This system also includes the smaller parties to the right and left of the two larger parties. In opposition parties criticize both the consensus and its administration. More ideological parties benefit from a marginally greater passion in their criticism. Less ideological parties can mount criticism from both the right and the left as opportunities dictate. In office, all parties implement the consensus. This sometimes leads to apparent absurdities like parties attacking their own programs after a change in government. Nevertheless people understand the system. Those working for policy change do so outside of the party system, pushing the consensus left or right. In light of the recent British elections, widely perceived as being conducted on the Clinton model, can it be said that the Irish model is being increasing adopted in larger countries or countries in which there used to be some policy disagreements between the parties? Terry McDonough
