We have more to fear from our lack of accountability than from globalisation

Most ministers become the manure that composts the bureaucratic undergrowth, writes Gerard Howlin.

Today’s political and economic news is dominated by the decision of the EU Commission that Ireland gave favourable tax treatment to Apple, amounting to €13 billion since 1991. It is rooted in decisions taken by the Revenue Commissioners and based on allegations of giving unfair competitive advantage to one company over others. It is complicated and has been on the go for years. In all probability, it has years to go before a final conclusion.

As an example of technocratic conundrums which beset politicians when national governments struggle to persuasively govern in a globalised economic order, the Apple case is a classic. The vote for Brexit, the emergence of Trump and yearning to ban the burkini example reductio ad absurdum responses, offered with increasing desperation and decreasing credibility. Because global trends cannot be effectively controlled locally, locals prefer to take hold of the lever that is nearest and pull hard. Better to do something, than nothing, if only to relieve the frustration of pitiable powerless. An act of destruction is at least action.