The potato famine killed many Irish and sent so many others into exile in other countries.
The British government could have dealt with the famine by not insisting on the export of grain to other countries.
Comparing famine relief to universal health care schemes is a false choice.
The Famine was the best thing that happened to the Irish. In much the same way the Farm Crisis of the 80’s was the best thing to happen to the farmers or that Slavery was the best thing to happen to the Blacks.
Those tragic events led to changes that brought the Irish and Blacks to America and that fewer people was trying to make a living at something that few farmers can make a profit.
Substance farming and overpopulation was a greater evil for Ireland than a short term famine. One reason that America leads the world in Food Production is that our acreage isn’t divided into a bunch of 1 acre or less farms that can only grow enough to support the farmer. Ireland needed to reduce it’s population and increase the size of its farms and the famine did so. Irish immigrants and their descendants did much better than if they remained in dirt floor peat smoked cottages on a half acre eating nothing but potatoes.
Considering the general food shortage and revolutions of 1848 in Europe if England would of prohibited food exports from Ireland like it had done previously then very likely the English would of had higher price food, some shortages and possible unrest and revolution. Who knows how history would of turned out but Ireland had been a basketcase for at least the previous 100 years because of overpopulation. It made much more sense for the Irish to take the heat than the English who was productive.
The famine helped the USA. The British repealed the Corn Laws to allow imports of grain which the Americans provided.
It is one thing to help when there is special situation where the Irish had no problem feeding themselves normally but even in good years they had problems.
Because of the radicals it took centuries before the Irish became successful. Even during the Troubles Northern Ireland had a higher standard of living. If the stupid Irish in this country hadn’t funded the IRA because they have been fed a bunch of anti British crap by their fathers and grandfathers then Northern Ireland wouldn’t of been a problem for as long of a time.
No instead of reading I suggest you think about what if’s. If you see any stray dogs in your area pretend that you are the British and put out food. If the number of dogs increase then put out more food. Tell me when you have solved the famine by doing that.