Stichting Laka

Publication Laka-library:
The nuclear syndrome

Author	S.Dalby
	-
Date	1984
Classification	2.06.0.00/07 (IRELAND)
Front

The Nuclear Syndrome 
Simon Dalby

Editorial
Repeating mistakes is not something peculiar to Ireland, though we are certainly 
good at it. And whileit is highly unlikely that the prospect of nuclear power will be 
as close for Ireland in the foreseeablefuture as it was in the 1970s, being informed 
and prepared is the starting point of opposition to thecontemplation of any such 
plans in the future.

But it is not just because of the importance of the nuclear issue, and of the victory 
won against it (more by external circumstances than by actual Irish opposition) that 
we are publishing an edited version of Simon Dalby's thesis on the Irish anti-nuclear 
movement Within the movement there were important debates taking place about 
the shape and variety of opposition that was appropriate; what form of organisation 
should be adopted, what priorities should be dealt with, etc. These are the kind of
organisational questions which occur in any mass political movement. 

And since then there has been the rise of the anti-nuclear bomb movement, to which 
in many ways the anti-nuclear power movement was a precursor. These questions of 
organisation, strategy and tactics are vital. Simon Dalby's analysis of the way the 
Irish anti-nuclear movement in the 1970s dealt with these questions is an important 
one which will repay careful study and consideration. It is as much for the nitty-
gritty politics of the movement, then, that we are publishing this pamphlet as for 
the importance
of the issue concerned. A victory was won. And while that victory was more to do 
with economic questions and the international concern over nuclear power, the Irish 
anti-nuclear power movement had done an important job in conscientising people as 
to the dangers. It is good to be able to tell a success story, and we think if you 
stick with it you'll find it an exiting read. And if we are able to. learn some 
lessons about organising present and future campaigns then the read will indeed 
have been a worthwhile one... - Dawn group.

This publication is digitally available in the Laka library, but it's not on-line.
E-mail us (info@laka.org) if you would like the pdf sent to you (with the subject, number and title). Of course you can also come by.