When saying sorry is not enough: the paradox of a political apology offered to Irish mother and baby home survivors

Aoife Marie Foran*, Aisling T. O'Donnell, Dearbhla Moroney, Orla T. Muldoon

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

While political apologies cannot undo what has been done, they are often perceived as highly relevant for healing and reconciliation. However, these apologies are often mired in controversy and highly political. While research on political apologies has focused on the role of intergroup relations, limited research has explored the intragroup dynamics involved. The present article explores how the paradoxical features of a political apology to ingroup members have their source in partisanship. The analysis used methods derived from discursive psychology. Using data from six parliamentary statements that were given in response to the political apology offered to Irish mother and baby home survivors, we demonstrated how these speakers constructed and understood the apology and how these constructions relate to their own political positions. Specifically, the apology to mothers and babies is used for political purpose, allowing majority members of government to position the wrongdoings experienced by mothers and babies in the past and to encourage the national collective to move on. Others seeking progressive social change—a parliamentary minority—use the apology to shape a political narrative that demands national collective action. Our work highlights the important role that identity-based power relations play in confronting historical injustice, and how this may result in a dual schism with people within a nation becoming divided over both the apology and the appropriate response.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages17
JournalPolitical Psychology
Early online date17 Jul 2024
DOIs
Publication statusEarly online date - 17 Jul 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Political Psychology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Society of Political Psychology.

Keywords

  • discursive psychological analysis
  • historical injustice
  • identity positions
  • mother and baby homes
  • political apology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science and International Relations

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