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
Why do these men want to strip women of the right to vote? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:07
Journalist and author Helen Lewis has built a reputation for sharp analysis of politics, culture and the forces reshaping public life.In one piece for The Atlantic she unpicks policies, and the figures promoting them, ar…
Winners and losers: What we’ve learned from the byelections [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:57
Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh to talk about the results of the Dublin Central and Galway West byelections: As the day began Fine Gael were confident that their man, Senator Sean Kyne, would win the seat. That confi…
Ennis and Kyne in poll position on a bad day for big parties [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:15
A picture is emerging in the byelection counts. Hugh is joined by Pat Leahy, Harry McGee and Jack Horgan-Jones to discuss what we have learned so far:On the basis of the numbers available on Saturday afternoon, Social De…
Taoiseach has Gaza on his mind amid European tour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:27
Pat Leahy and Naomi O’Leary join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· Taoiseach Micheál Martin arrived in Italy on Friday, meeting Pope Leo in the Vatican and Italian premier Giorgia Meloni in Rome. This i…
Byelections: campaign trail stories and final predictions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:18
Cormac McQuinn and Harry McGee join Hugh for a final look at the Dublin Central and Galway West byelections before voting takes place on Friday. Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to you…
What's wrong with Ireland? Sinead O'Sullivan has an answer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:06
Economist and author Sinead O'Sullivan ruffled some feathers recently with her analysis of Ireland’s deficits in infrastructure and services. Her critiques of the State’s failure to deliver things that are taken for gran…
Keir Starmer finds himself in office without power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:09
Jack Horgan-Jones and Mark Paul join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics:· The findings of the Irish Times and TG4 by Ipsos B&A poll throws up some interesting permutations for the Dublin Central byelection…
Two-way race for Sinn Féin and Soc Dems in Dublin Central byelection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:54
The Irish Times and TG4 by Ipsos B&A poll shows Sinn Féin’s Janice Boylan leads the byelection race in Dublin Central with first preference votes at 21 per cent, Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats is in second place on…
Who will win Dublin Central? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:05
With just over a week until two by elections, host Hugh Linehan unpicks the race for Dublin Central in today’s Inside Politics.Political Correspondents Jack Horgan-Jones and Cormac McQuinn reflect on then race so far, an…