Throughout the 20th century the Irish have claimed, at critical moments, that Ireland is a neutral state and that it has established a policy of "traditional neutrality." Here, Salmon examines these claims by first identifying the essence of neutrality and nonalignment and then applying that understanding to the Irish case. Arguing that Ireland has failed to meet the criteria normally associated with neutrality and nonalignment, he explores the controversial issue of whether neutrality is compatible with membership in the European Community, and compares the status of Ireland with those of Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland.