Non-Unionist Protestants in the Northern Irish Conflict: Ideology, Identities, Class and the British Approach to Conflict.
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2015-07-09
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en
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In Northern Ireland the consociational model and the Two Traditions paradigm rather than addressing the fundamental division between the religiously-defined communities, recognises and helps to reify it, precluding the emergence of alternative identities and ideologies. The consociational model excludes, among other groups, those with a Protestant background who don’t identify with Unionism or Orange culture. The focus on identity issues and ethnic politics also eludes important socio-economic and class issues which are central to the conflict and this contributes to sustain uncompromising ideologies among the working classes, including Loyalism. This research focuses on the small minority of non-unionist Protestants attempting to understand their role in a starkly divided society analysing their identity, ideology and relation to the Protestant working class. Through the analysis of in-depth interviews we conclude that non-unionist Protestants are not a coherent group in terms of identity and ideology and that those with working class origins have little ties with their original communities. It is unlikely that non-unionist Protestants can become a significant group and are able to influence Protestant working class politics. We recommend policies which deal more with socio-economic issues and promote rather than prevent alternatives to the Two Traditions.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen