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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 2h

I'm puzzled by the hostility but happy to stand corrected.

I took you to mean you didn't think the term 'Leprechaun economics' was inappropriate because of the context Krugman used the term i.e. in reference to 'magical economics' or something along those lines.

TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 3h

Ireland isn't a British island.

The archipelago is called 'the British Isles and Ireland' or sometimes just 'Britain and Ireland'.

The government of Ireland doesn't recognise the term 'British Isles' as a description of the whole archipelago inclusive of Ireland.

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 3h

The terminology used by the UK is certainly very confusing. But Northern Ireland isn't a country by the UK's own definition:
www.gov.uk/government/p...

TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 3h

I'm keen to keep them both out of the Áras. Anyone of a similar view should now give their first preference to Gavin.

Certainly, if you're happy with Humphreys as President you should give her your first preference.

It sounds like we're in agreement that Connolly would be the worst result.

TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 3h

...context makes this an acceptable use of a loaded term.

TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 3h

🤔 it's quite clear that we disagree with each other. Nothing wrong with that - but to be clear, this thread started because you disagreed with my post about the term being racially loaded.

The original thread also makes it clear that both I and the OP disagree with your suggestion that the...

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 8h

...best if he stopped using the term and this should be pointed out to those who use the term in ignorance. The discussion can focus on the merits of the argument being made, the loaded language adds nothing.

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 8h

I disagree, both terms are racially loaded. I think all the contributors in the original thread agree that it's highly unlikely Krugman set out to cause offence. It's much more likely that he was completely unaware of the racist connotations.

You can still come to the conclusion that it would be...

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 8h

..we've been uncharitable or ignored the underlying point he's making. I think the OP made that quite clear as well.

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 8h

I'm asserting my view, just as you have. You're very welcome to disagree. I've had both 'Paddy' and 'Leprechaun' racial slurs thrown at me from time to time. I don't view one as better or worse than the other, they're both intended to offend and belittle.

I don't think in the thread discussion...

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 9h

Both are essentially equivalent to each other - and (intentionally or otherwise) he is implying that Irish people are leprechauns.

To be fair to Krugman, I've always assumed he was ignorant of the racist connotations of the term he coined.

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 10h

I think your comparison to the term "Golliwog" is quite apt. Maybe Krugman is making a point in reference to rag dolls but we all know what these term mean in the modern world.

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 11h

Always infuriating when Irish media don't call this out - it is indeed an offensive racist term. One for which I believe Krugman has never apologised - and presumably he can no longer claim to be ignorant of the racist connotations.

Conn MacEvilly @conmachiavel.bsky.social · 20h

How much pleasure this racist term has given those, especially in NI and Britain, who cannot cope with Ireland’s economic success.

For sure, PK might be right in what he *describes*. But calling it “golliwog economics” or “kaffirnomics” or “coolienomics” doesn’t help the argument. So why do it?

Paul Krugman @pkrugman.bsky.social · 21h

So today's Substack about the impact of tariffs concluded:

"in many ways the level of the tariffs is less important than the huge uncertainty Trump’s policies have created. And that uncertainty hasn’t abated at all."

Ya don't say. paulkrugman.substack.com/p/leprechaun...

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 11h

Ireland isn't in the 'British Isles'

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Reposted by TheSecretDiplomat

Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 12h

More Farage Brexit success.

Jaysus.

David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 1d

Between 2019 and 2024 in real terms EU exports grew by 11%.

UK exports also grew. By 0.89%.

That's the total. Goods exports were lower in real terms in 2024 than in 2014.

Centre for European Reform @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · 1d

@antonspisak.bsky.social of the @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social, a think-tank, observes that, after Brexit took effect at the end of 2020, Britain’s goods exports have grown less than those of any other economy in the G7 club of rich countries.

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 12h

Northern Ireland isn't a country.

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 12h

Why would anyone spoil a vote in this election? The first time in history that there will be a viable 'none-of-the-above' option on the ballot paper.

This can't be said enough - if you don't want any of the candidates then give your first preference votes to Jim Gavin. He will be on the ballot.

Sarah Carey: If there’s a high rate of spoilt votes in this election, don’t blame the Russians

I’m livid. Half the country is livid. Around the world, due to alienation and polarisation, democracies are frayed. In Ireland, despite many provocations, the centre has held.

m.independent.ie

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 12h

It's Éire - the accent over the E changes the meaning and pronunciation of words in the Irish language.

But as you're posting in English it would be more appropriate to just the country's English language name - Ireland.

TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 20h

...takes about 9 years. But given the UK was previously a Member State, and will have elements of acquis alignment ready in place, it could be possible to shave a couple of years off that.

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 20h

Any European country is welcome to make an Article 49 application to the EU.

The details of the 35 chapters of EU acquis that an applicant country must align to are publicly available - but a bit too much to unpack on a social media post! 😀

Overall, if an applicant country is successful, it...

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 20h

...that demonstrates it would be likely a referendum on reunification would be passed by a majority of the people of Northern Ireland.

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 20h

Yes indeed - and it's relatively likely that will be the case after the next Assembly election.

But important to note, the First Minister plays no role in calling referendums. Per the terms of the Good Friday Agreement a referendum must be held if the British Secretary of State has evidence...

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 1d

Realistically, because of its power-sharing system, Northern Ireland couldn't have a government committed to reunification with Ireland.

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TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 1d

Some would describe the Angevin Empire of the 12th and 13th centuries as the first English Empire.

TheSecretDiplomat @thesecretdiplomat.bsky.social · 1d

Yes as I mentioned above, its beginnings were in the late 16th century.

If you'd find it helpful I could suggest a few books on the topic.

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