IRISH PARTIES 2007

Given that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are grounded in history rather than ideology, their Political Compass positions posed a particular challenge. However our chart reflects Fine Gael's slightly business friendlier posture and Fianna Fáil's deeper attachment to traditional social attitudes.

Ideology is more distinct in the smaller parties,with Labour following most of its sister parties abroad by accepting the prevailing market economy, though cloaking it in social democratic language. This leaves the Socialists keeping the red flag flying and the Greens offering a sort of decentralised Socialism Lite. Like Liberal parties throughout Europe, the Progressive Democrats combine neoliberal economics with comparatively liberal social policies.

We're not about to predict the outcome of the election in Ireland, which, as likely as not, will result in a coalition of rather strange bedfellows.