“Unlike most
revolutions, the Irish War of Independence ultimately led to a democracy, not
an autocracy ruled by a new gang of tyrants. Most independence movements result
in unstable coalition governments or boomerang into bloody counterrevolutions.
The examples before and after Ireland are legion, from the Soviet Union in 1918
to the colonial revolts that ended in dictatorship throughout Africa, the
Middle East, and Asia (India excepted). By contrast, the Irish soon instituted
a genuine democracy. Political logrolling and corruption notwithstanding, the
Dáil (Irish Parliament) has governed a nation of free men and women.”— John
Rodden and John P. Rossi, “From Ireland to Israel, and Beyond: Why the Irish War of Independence Still Matters,” Commonweal,
Oct. 2, 2019
(The image accompanying this post shows Seán Hogan's
flying column of the IRA's 3rd Tipperary Brigade during the war.)
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