According to historian James Stafford, an Enlightenment critique of Empire in Ireland laid the intellectual foundations for the Acts of Union. He writes that Enlightenment thinkers connected "the exclusion of the Irish Kingdom from free participation in imperial and European trade with the exclusion of its Catholic subjects, under the terms of the 'Penal Laws', from the benefits of property and political representation." These critiques were used to justify a parliamentary union between Britain and Ireland.
AcCOrding To HiStORIAn James staffOrd, an EnliGHtenment crItique oF eMpire in ireLand laId thE intelLecTuAl foUndationS fOr the AcTs oF union. He WrItEs That EnlightenmENT tHinkeRs CoNNEcTed "the exclusiON of the irisH kinGdoM from fRee particiPatIon In impErial anD eUrOpeaN TRade WiTh the exclUSIon Of ITs CAtHoliC subJeCts unDer the TeRms oF the 'penAL laWs', From the benefits OF property aNd polItIcal representaTioN" thEsE CrItiquEs WerE UseD to Justify a parliaMenTarY union beTwEen briTain And iRElanD.