This is a text for all students of introductory economics at undergraduate or postexperience level. It may be used for a one year course and includes a recommended contents outline for a shortened or modular course

Introduction -- Katzenstein's world -- 1994-2001: the age of employment miracles -- 2001-2008: European integration intensifies -- Beyond 2008: coping with the crisis -- Unpacking Ireland's polity from a new institutionalist perspective -- Conclusions