Foreword

Welcome to Volume XXXI of the Trinity College Social and Political Review. Since its founding, the SPR has given some of Trinity College Dublin’s most critical thinkers an outlet to engage and invoke readers on issues of social and political importance.

The past year has been one rife with change and unusual circumstances. The world came to a stop still and our lives changed in the most drastic of ways. But too the political and social landscape we find ourselves in is very different from that just a year prior.

The United Kingdom has officially withdrawn from the European Union and the Northern Irish question remains unanswered. The 2020 US Elections offered scenes of hope and despair as a new leader of the Free World was welcomed, but days beforehand the Capitol was stormed by rebels. The murder of George Floyd sparked outrage and sadness across the globe and the Black Lives Matter movement took to the streets in force. Statues fell and voices rose to demand that the lives of black people be valued within our society. As Poland announced its LGBT-free zones, the European Parliament declared the EU to be an LGBT+ Freedom Zone. But the death of Sarah Everard gave another reason to take to the streets as we stood for the right for women to feel safe when they walk home. We still fight against the virus which has put our lives at such a standstill. With perpetual lockdowns rummaging forward, the roll out of vaccines offer some hope – yet it remains to be seen how strong the Irish Government will remain as we begin to seize some degree of our old lives back once again.

It might seem naïve, but I believe we are within a moment of major history and it too will have an effect on the future to come. We must take heed from the lessons we have learned in this past year. We must continue to fight for the protection of rights and of our democracy. We must stay informed and listen to those who know best – learn and follow and where needed stand up, speak up and march forward.

I was blown away by the fantastic submissions we received this year. It was incredibly difficult to make our final selections, but I am delighted to see the diversity amongst the topics published here including tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Marxism as a science, migration and asylum seekers, sexual subordination, identity politics in Yugoslavia, literacy levels in Ireland and a study of James Baldwin and the BLM movement.

The publication of XXXI would not be possible without the hard work of the team behind it. We owe a major thanks to our Editorial Board who have offered insightful and precise observations throughout the editing process; our Design Officer Aoife for her talented design skills; and our General Manager Ross and Financial Officer James for their tireless work, enthusiasm and dedication throughout the year. Furthermore, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Jacqueline Hayden and Dr. Richard Layte for their guidance and assistance this year, as well as the unwavering support of the Departments of Political Science and Sociology. The Board would also like to thank Grehan’s Printers for their support in producing the Review.

I really hope you enjoy reading this volume as much as I have. It has been an honour to serve as Editor-in-Chief for its 31st Volume. I cannot wait to see the new heights the Social and Political Review will reach in years to come.

Nathan O’Regan
Editor-in-Chief