Is meaningful climate action possible in a democracy?

Is meaningful climate action possible in a democracy?

Author: The Irish Times June 10, 2026 Duration: 37:43

In a new book coauthored with fellow political scientists, UCD’s Aidan Regan argues that the three goals of democracy, economic growth and effective climate action are at odds with one another, and that the resulting “trilemma” requires novel political solutions to solve. 


On today's podcast Aidan talks to Hugh about why it is so difficult to balance these goals and potential solutions.


They also discuss why effective climate action should be linked to improved standards of living, not increased costs; whether regulations are really to blame for our failure to deliver infrastructure and housing; how China manages to achieve economic growth while leading in the transition to green technology; and whether “degrowth” is a realistic path to sustainability or a political impossibility. 


The New Trilemma of Advanced Capitalism: Democracy, Growth and Effective Climate Action by Aidan Regan, Hanna Schwander, Cyril Benoît and Tim Vlandas is available now. 


Aidan Regan is a professor of political economy at the school of politics and international relations at University College Dublin

Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each week, Irish Times Inside Politics cuts through the noise to bring clarity to the forces shaping Ireland. Guided by host Hugh Linehan, the conversations here go beyond the headlines, offering a deeper, more considered understanding of the political landscape. You’ll hear from the newspaper’s own journalists, who provide grounded insight from the front lines, alongside a range of independent political thinkers and analysts. Occasionally, politicians themselves join the discussion, offering their perspective directly. The result is a nuanced and thoughtful examination of power, policy, and public life that values context over quick reactions. This isn't about partisan soundbites; it's about unpacking the how and why behind the day's debates and long-term shifts. For anyone looking to move past surface-level reporting and grasp the real stories unfolding in Leinster House and beyond, this podcast serves as an essential weekly briefing. The Irish Times brings its tradition of thorough journalism to the audio format, creating a space for analysis that is both accessible and substantive. Tune in for a consistently informed and engaging take on the issues that define the nation's future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Irish Times Inside Politics
Podcast Episodes
How will Ireland navigate the EU presidency? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:56
Next week Ireland takes over the presidency of the EU Council. But what does that mean? What exactly is the EU Council anyway? How does this council and this presidency fit in among the numerous other European councils a…
Eruption of violence in Northern Ireland echoes the Troubles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:59
Cormac McQuinn and Harry McGee join Hugh to discuss the week in politics:The disorder in Northern Ireland since a knife attack in Belfast on Monday reached levels not seen since “the worst possible days of the Troubles”,…
Rotunda row pits public against private health care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:57
Pat Leahy and Ellen Coyne join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has come out this week to demand the Rotunda maternity hospital withdraw permission for con…
Are Sinn Féin drifting away from an uneasy left-wing alliance? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:34
Ellen Coyne and Cormac McQuinn join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· The left-wing alliance that was formed during Catherine Connolly’s presidential campaign is already straining, with the Social Democ…
Shane Ross: Why politicians won't fix RTÉ - or let it fail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:28
RTÉ has been in the news again lately thanks to renewed controversy over payments to presenters. So it is a timely moment for the release of a new book on the institution. RTÉ: Saints, Scholars, and Scandals is the lates…