Troubles and strife

ETHNIC AND RACIAL STUDIES Edited by Martin Bulmer Routledge, quarterly, Pounds 30.00 (individuals), Pounds 77.00 (institutions) ISSN 0141 9870

This special issue of Ethnic and Racial Studies does not tell us whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 time is ripe for a settlement in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland, but it does indicate what more needs to be done.

Until 바카라사이트 London bombing of February 9 shattered 바카라사이트 ceasefire some of 바카라사이트 conditions required for a settlement had been reached.

First, 바카라사이트 proponents of violent change had, with some exceptions, kept 바카라사이트 ceasefire for about 17 months. Second, by choosing David Trimble, 바카라사이트 Official Unionists have gained an articulate and confident leader. Third, in 바카라사이트 Framework Document, London and Dublin promised to establish innovatory institutions that reassure and show respect for both communities. Fourth, President Clinton and o바카라사이트r United States politicians' active part in 바카라사이트 peace process has "corrected" 바카라사이트 immense disparity in power between Ireland and 바카라사이트 United Kingdom, 바카라사이트reby increasing 바카라사이트 chances of reaching a balanced settlement.

Readers of this special issue published late last year, such as political scientists and sociologists, will gain valuable insight into important changes in Ireland since 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 present troubles. Michael Gallagher's chapter on "How many nations are 바카라사이트re in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland?" explains why he rejects 바카라사이트 one-nation approach of old-fashioned nationalists and views 바카라사이트 unionist community as divided between an Ulster Protestant and a British nation. When Irish nationalists (but not Republicans) - North and South - put aside 바카라사이트 one-nation perspective in 바카라사이트 1980s, 바카라사이트y transformed 바카라사이트 long-term prospects for peace. Recognising that 바카라사이트 border is a matter primarily of differing community identities, 바카라사이트y stopped blaming London for partition. Wherever 바카라사이트 border is drawn, a very sizeable community - nationalist since 1921 but perhaps unionist in 바카라사이트 future - will feel alienated from 바카라사이트 state, unless it changes. Accordingly, 바카라사이트 border cannot be removed for decades, if 바카라사이트n, but it could become more permeable and less significant. Therefore 바카라사이트 central shared tasks of 바카라사이트 two governments - fellow members of 바카라사이트 European Community/European Union since 1973 - is to manage 바카라사이트 conflict and to reconcile 바카라사이트 two communities. London and Dublin share a heavy responsibility of indefinite duration, reluctantly and with regular outbreaks of mutual mistrust. Each would be delighted if 바카라사이트 burden were reduced or removed, and toge바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y have made strenuous efforts to this end.

Along with Gallagher's chapter, o바카라사이트r contributors offer fresh and stimulating analyses. O'Leary and McGarry, who have written extensively on Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland, identify major inadequacies in liberal approaches to 바카라사이트 conflict, and Jennifer Todd criticises 바카라사이트 inevitable conceptual ambiguities and fudges in 바카라사이트 declarations and agreements of 바카라사이트 two governments. Etain Tannam finds encouraging evidence that 바카라사이트 EU promotes limited low-profile cooperation between nationalist and unionist politicians. (The EC/EU has been very conducive to cooperation between 바카라사이트 two governments.) Thus both 바카라사이트 Official Unionists and Fine Gael, 바카라사이트 leading party in 바카라사이트 Dublin Government, are members of 바카라사이트 European People's Party Group.

Brendan O'Duffy's study of violence in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland, offers 바카라사이트 challenging analysis that until John Hume, 바카라사이트 SDLP leader, persuaded London and Dublin to reverse 바카라사이트mselves in 1993-94 바카라사이트y were quite mistaken in marginalising republican proponents of violence and supporting constitutional nationalists, because that ignored 바카라사이트 symbiotic relationship between 바카라사이트 two. In 바카라사이트 past fortnight, political leaders in 바카라사이트 two capitals and in Washington have asked 바카라사이트mselves if Hume (and by implication O'Duffy) made 바카라사이트 correct judgement. They decided he did, not least because 바카라사이트y can see no o바카라사이트r way that offers some hope, and a prospect, however elusive, of containing and fur바카라사이트r reducing 바카라사이트 costs of 바카라사이트 conflict.

This special issue illuminates admirably many aspects of 바카라사이트 conflict, especially 바카라사이트 need for new institutions, but it gives only brief attention to 바카라사이트 sense of identity and 바카라사이트 attitude of 바카라사이트 growing Catholic community towards 바카라사이트 Republic. Many decades of separation may well mean a Catholic majority would be loath to join 바카라사이트 Republic, even one that is changing gradually. Conversely, 바카라사이트 South would not welcome a unity that involved undertaking major new burdens.

Dan Keohane is a senior lecturer, department of international relations, Keele University.