Parochialism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Parochialism is the quality or state of being parochial; especially: selfish pettiness or narrowness (as of interests, opinions, or views). Derived from the term parish which has both religious and governmental connotations with the idea of separation from a larger group.
Parochialism does relate directly to culture and economics in regards to a local culture or geographic area's government making decisions based on personal relationships instead of uniformity. This supports and/or leads to governmental corruption and deters real economic health and outside investment. Parochialism reinforces an insular society and economy, many times to the detriment of the citizens who are the willful victims of parochialism, their local prejudices and regional attitudes played upon by politicians of all colours.
Contents |
[edit] Examples of Parochialism in Politics
Parochialism is found to a great extent in developing countries (third world) and to some extent in many rural areas of the first world including the United States, Ireland and Australia.
[edit] Australia
The politics of the smallest State in the Australian Federation, Tasmania, provides a clear example of parochialism, both at the the state level, with the north/south divide while also strongly influencing the interaction of Tasmanian leaders with their mainland counterparts.
[edit] Ireland
Since the foundation of the state in 1922 and prior to independence, Ireland has had a highly parochial political system. The nature of the electoral system in Ireland and the weak powers of Local government reinforce parochial voting patterns and politics. The fact that to be elected to Dáil Éireann one can do so on a small number of votes per head of population compared to most other developed states turns the politics of General elections into an aggregate of parochial issues.
Fianna Fáil have benefited greatly by playing parochial politics and are the 2nd longest serving party in government in a European country.
