Business power and collective action: The state and the confederation of Irish Industry 1970–1990

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Abstract
In capitalist societies business is said to derive its power from its structural position in the economy. Yet, under certain conditions business finds it necessary to organise collectively to achieve its objectives. In Ireland, the state's economic policies have played a crucial role in shaping the pattern of trade associational activity. Relations between the state and the Confederation of Irish Industry between 1970 and 1990 were close, though conforming more closely to a pluralist than to a neo‐corpo‐ratist paradigm. Given the high level of state intervention in the economy and in spite of many divisions of interest within industry, business has found it necessary to organise collectively in order to articulate and exercise its structurally derived power.