Using benign bullying to create better societies

These days legislators tend to be hesitant about trying to effect change – especially social change just by passing a law. Today's conventional wisdom suggests that that can be brought about only through consensus, built slowly and carefully over time. Yet Ireland has recently brought about radical change in two quite unrelated areas noted for entrenched and obdurate public attitudes. Over five years Ireland succeeded in eliminating the use of plastic bags as containers for shopping and eliminating smoking in any public place, including bars and restaurants.