ABSTRACT
This chapter explores Norbert Elias's concept of Insider and Outsider within the figuration of the Irish and British colonial relationship. It generates additional perspectives on the configuration of variables using five strands of analysis. These new strands help to contribute to a more informed understanding of the nature of the constellation of sociocultural factors impacting on the Irish economic disposition. Central to this contribution is the concept of figurational sociology. The strands are: the concept of Irish national identity within a colonial relationship, the emerging occupational profile of the political class in the newly emerging Irish state, and teachers and the moulding of the Irish economic disposition. The remaining strands are: the policing of economic behaviour, and the impact of the civilising process on the economic disposition. The chapter discusses the nature of the Irish-British colonial relationship where the grievance sentiment infusing the Irish psyche almost pre-determined the development of an anti-industrial disposition.
