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Resistance, obstruction and agenda-setting : the hidden politics of the Northern Ireland settlement
Author(s)
Date Issued
2009
Date Available
2010-08-17T13:55:29Z
Abstract
This paper examines Ulster unionism’s responses to and its increased disaffection from political developments in Northern Ireland since the 1990s. I suggest that
Ulster unionist politics and, by way of extrapolation, Northern Irish politics cannot be understood without taking into account the “soft” or “hidden” face of
political power. I argue that this aspect of political dynamics has been under-researched and under-appreciated in Northern Ireland and outline an alternative narrative of the “peace process” as the product of resistance and agenda-setting activities. This changed perspective requires a re-conceptualisation of the role played by unionist politics, which are seen to embody a paradox of alienation and powerlessness operating alongside the effective prevention of specific British government and Irish nationalist policy proposals. I conclude with the suggestion that the “peace process” occurred largely despite rather than because of elite intervention.
Sponsorship
Not applicable
Other Sponsorship
Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Type of Material
Working Paper
Publisher
University College Dublin. Institute for British-Irish Studies
Series
IBIS Discussion Papers : Breaking the Patterns of Conflict Series: Breaking the Patterns of Conflict
5
Subject – LCSH
Unionism (Irish politics)
Northern Ireland--Politics and government
Language
English
Status of Item
Peer reviewed
Conference Details
Presentation at the Annual meeting of the Specialist Group on British and Comparative Territorial Politics of the Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom, University of Oxford, January, 7-8, 2010
This item is made available under a Creative Commons License
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