The National Being: Some Thoughts on an Irish Polity

In Short

This book is a visionary manifesto for the reconstruction of Irish society at the dawn of the twentieth century. Rather than focusing on conventional politics or revolutionary violence, it argues that a nation’s true character is forged through economic cooperation and social organization. By transforming isolated, individualistic rural lives into a collective, interdependent community, the author believes Ireland can move beyond its history of sectarian bitterness. It remains a vital document for those interested in the philosophy of community building, cooperative economics, and the spiritual dimensions of nationhood.

The Story

The narrative begins in 1914, at the birth of a new Irish state—a period defined by global war and internal instability. The author observes that the infant state, born under the sign of Mars, is fragile and threatened by the "twin serpents" of sectarianism. He argues that Ireland’s modern public life is hollow, lacking the heroic, divine inspiration that once defined the ancient world. Where the poets of antiquity created ideals that molded the spirits of their people, modern democracy has settled for a mediocre, fragmented existence. The author laments that modern Irish life, both urban and rural, has dwindled into something mean, lacking the spiritual density and intellectual ambition of a truly great society.

The core of the argument rests on a transformation of the Irish character, personified by the figure of "Patrick." Currently, Patrick is an isolated, suspicious farmer trapped in a cycle of low-level barter and individualistic struggle. The author proposes that through the mechanism of agricultural cooperation—creameries, shared machinery, and collective marketing—Patrick’s narrow horizon will expand. As he works alongside neighbors of different faiths and politics, his suspicion dissolves into a recognition of common interest. He ceases to be a petty individualist and becomes a participant in a larger, national "social organism."

This shift, however, is not merely economic. The author asserts that a sane mind requires a sane social body. By organizing rural life into cooperative communities, Ireland can create a foundation where the intellect is no longer chained to old grievances. He critiques the current state of representative government, which he views as an alien, "greasy drab" system that mixes all interests into a muddled futility. Instead, he proposes a system where the national assembly handles general interests, while specialized councils manage specific industries, allowing each to function with its own "pure color."

The text extends this vision to the urban laborer and the rural proletariat, arguing that true liberation comes not from wage wars, but from achieving economic independence through communal structures. He calls for a "civil conscription"—a voluntary dedication of time by the youth to public works, art, and the beautification of the land. This service would foster a national pride that current, materialistic industrial life fails to inspire. The author concludes with a call for spiritual evolution. He urges his readers to move beyond the "Babylon" of hatred and sectarianism. He envisions an Ireland that is not a collection of warring factions, but a harmonious, cooperative commonwealth, where the "national being" is expressed through the beauty and unity of its people.

How It Unfolds

The cradle of a nation The author introduces the infant Irish state as a creature of great potential, threatened by the "twin serpents" of sectarian conflict. He laments the absence of heroic ideals in modern politics and the resulting mediocrity of public life.

The transformation of Patrick The narrative turns to the rural population, describing how the adoption of cooperative societies can move the average farmer from selfish individualism to a broader, world-aware citizenship. The creamery becomes the unlikely site for this psychological and social awakening.

The structure of a new society The author critiques the failures of existing representative government and proposes a tiered structure. He argues that by separating general national concerns from specific industrial interests, the state could function with the clarity of a spectrum of light rather than a muddled gray.

The duty of the youth The argument shifts to the potential for a "civil conscription," where young people serve the state through labor and public works. This transition from military-minded destruction to life-affirming creation is presented as the path to a truly majestic civilization.

The call to leave Babylon In the final movement, the author urges idealists to abandon the "fetid" politics of the present. He envisions a future where the Irish people, through cooperation, finally express their inherent spiritual destiny.

The People

The book is driven less by individual characters and more by archetypal figures representing the stages of social development. Patrick, the central archetype, is the Irish farmer; he represents the "virgin soil" of the national mind, currently limited by narrow suspicion but possessing the potential for transformation into a sophisticated participant in a world economy. Sir Horace Plunkett appears as the pioneer of the cooperative movement, the practical catalyst who provided the "seed" for this social growth. The politicians and hucksters of the day serve as the foil, representing the corrupt or short-sighted leadership that has failed to inspire the nation. Finally, the proletarian—both rural and urban—is depicted as a figure of deep, untapped spiritual worth, currently crushed by a society that treats him as a commodity to be discarded. Through the author’s voice, these figures are woven into a plea for a new kind of leadership that values the "aristocratic intellect" while fostering a truly inclusive, democratic brotherhood.

In Its Own Voice

The Marriage of Heaven and Earth was foretold by the ancient prophets.

The author uses this metaphor to describe his desire to bridge the gap between economic reality and spiritual idealism.

It is the great defect of our modern literature that it creates few such types.

This serves as his critique of how modern culture fails to provide the heroic figures needed to inspire a nation.

Nothing but a spiritual revolution or an economic revolution will bring other classes into comradeship with them.

Here, he highlights the necessity of a fundamental shift in the social order to achieve true unity among the working class and the rest of society.

What It's Really About

This work is a treatise on the "national being"—the idea that a nation is a living, spiritual entity whose health depends on the quality of its social organization. The central argument is that economic cooperation is not just a commercial strategy, but a moral discipline. By organizing for the common good, citizens unlearn the habits of sectarianism and competition. The questions underlying the text are profound: Can a nation develop a character that is both modern and distinct? Is democracy compatible with a high level of spiritual and aesthetic aspiration? The author’s answer is a resounding "yes," provided the people can move beyond the "huckster" politics of the present and embrace a structure that mirrors the harmony of the universe.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy social philosophy, political theory, or the history of cooperative movements will find this a deeply rewarding, if sometimes demanding, read. The prose is earnest and rhythmic, reflecting the author’s background as a poet and mystic, which elevates it above dry economic tracts. It will resonate with anyone skeptical of the "greasy drab" nature of modern partisan politics and those searching for alternative models of civic engagement.

However, the book is a product of its time. Its archaic, sweeping tone and its focus on an Ireland that no longer exists may present a barrier to those looking for a contemporary policy handbook. The author’s call for a "civil conscription" is a particularly provocative, perhaps even controversial, element that highlights the period’s fascination with state-led idealism. Despite these historical markers, the core insight—that a society is only as strong as the psychological connections between its members—remains strikingly relevant. It is a book for the patient reader, someone willing to sit with the author’s belief that greatness is not an accident of history but a conscious, daily construction of the human spirit. It leaves one with a haunting, hopeful sense that a "delectable city" might be built, if only we were brave enough to reorganize our daily lives to reach for it.