Most of the independent nations of the twentieth century have been racked by political disorder and social instability. Ireland is one of the few to have successfully established a stable democratic order. In this book Jeffrey Prager examines the first decade of Irish independence in order to explain how the Republic of Ireland achieved democracy. In so doing he provides a deeper understanding of the Irish case while shedding light on the process of democratic consolidation in modern state-building. His combination of political and cultural approaches also contributes to the development of a political sociology that encompasses the problem of cultural meaning as a crucial domain of analysis. By exploring the interconnections between political structures social activities and cultural legacies he promotes an awareness of the vital dimensions of political life and institutions.