Explaining Northern Ireland Broken Images [Paperback]

This is a bold and timely analysis of the conflict in Northern Ireland, offering a comprehensive, up-to-date and constructively critical evaluation of the massive outpouring of literature on the subject. John McGarry and Brendan O'Leary examine the most common explanations of the conflict - nationalist, unionist, Marxist, religious, cultural and economic - highlighting their shortcomings and placing Northern Ireland within a comparative context. Synthesizing their conclusions, the authors advance a realistic but imaginative prognosis for conflict-resolution in this most troubled region.Acknowledgements.

Introduction: Explanations and Images.

Part I: External Explanations:.

1. Nationalist Discourses.

2. Green Political Economy.

3. Unionist Discourses.

4. Revisionist Marxism.

Part II: Internal Explanations: .

5. Warring Gods: Theological Tales.

6. Fiery Values: Cultural Interpretations.

7. Mammon and Utility: Liberal Economic Reasonings.

Part III: Synthesis and Futures:.

8. No Place Apart: Comparative Political Analysis.

9. Pain-killers, Panaceas and Solvents.

10. Afterword.

Appendix A: The Joint Declaration for Peace (December 1993).

Appendix B: Analysis of the Text of the Joint Peace Declaration.

Notes.

Additional References.

Glossary and Terminology.

Abbreviations.

Name Index.

Subject Index.

The authors are experts not only on Northern Ireland but on ethnic conflict in many other countries. The comparative perspective that they bring to their treatment of Northern Ireland gives it extraordinary deptl%