In "A Modest Proposal," what primary issue does Jonathan Swift satirize?

In "A Modest Proposal," Jonathan Swift employs satire to address and critique the British government's exploitative and neglectful treatment of the Irish poor during the 18th century. Through his outrageous suggestion of using impoverished Irish children as a source of food, Swift highlights the extreme suffering faced by the population due to poverty and oppression. This proposal, while intentionally shocking, serves to underscore the callous disregard that the British ruling class had towards the plight of the Irish. Swift’s work conveys a powerful message about the urgency for change and the moral responsibility of those in power to care for the less fortunate. By mocking economic rationality and societal indifference, he effectively draws attention to the dire need for social reform in Ireland, forcing readers to confront the harsh realities faced by the impoverished.