The economic boom has created an entrepreneurial class which is abusing power, whether in politics, economics or the environment, according to a pamphlet published by Democratic Left.
Calling for a new politics to challenge the "jungle law" of contemporary economics, the document criticises the "corrupting influence" of prevailing values which threatens the recent achievements of social consensus.
The pamphlet, New Century Socialism: Fighting for Justice in the Jungle, was written by Mr Des Geraghty, vice-president of SIPTU and former MEP for Democratic Left.
Speaking at publication of the document yesterday, the Democratic Left leader, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, said it charted the direction for a new left in Irish politics.
Mr Geraghty said his central thesis was that socialist values were more valid than ever but to apply them successful required new policies and strategies.
"We must start by acknowledging that the Celtic Tiger has not been caring properly for all its cubs. For many members of our society the `tiger' is a vicious predator thriving in a very hostile, insecure and threatening environment."
A value system based on "greed, self-interest and ruthless competition" was eroding the more caring values traditionally held by most Irish people. He criticised the Central Bank for reiterating old dogmas about avoiding tax cuts and maintaining higher interest rates, while the economic rules were "constantly rewritten to benefit those who own wealth and property".
However, he said, a new socialism would not involve centralised planning, suppression of markets or nationalisation. Instead, it would mean "managing markets, regulating the economy, strengthening the new forms of social ownership, the rights of people to democratic control, to knowledge, information and training.
"We need a new politics, a new economics and a new civil society that restores the balance in favour of people and of truly human values. That means challenging the law of the jungle in economic life, humanising business activity, increasing the strength and status of workers, of consumers and communities, and separating political parties from big business."
