In the latest in our series on the fate of the Union, we talk to historians Richard Bourke and Niamh Gallagher about the history of Northern Ireland's relationship to the rest of the UK. From the Anglo-Irish Union to partition to the Troubles to the Peace Process to Brexit and beyond, we discuss what makes Northern Irish politics so contentious and whether consensus is possible. Plus we ask if Irish re-unification is coming and what it might look like.
Talking Points:
The Anglo-Irish union was a response to the 1798 rebellion. It was a means of pacification through incorporation.
The home rule movement was seeking a devolved administration, but failure to deliver that made the Irish Catholic movement more committed to independence.
In Northern Ireland, proportional representation was abolished in local elections in 1923, and in general elections in 1929. In practice, Northern Ireland became a single party state with a large, disempowered minority.
At some point during the 20th century, the dynamics of Northern Ireland became seen as a problem that didn’t apply to the rest of Britain.
Today, Unionism in the North has become a new phenomenon focused on its own domestic welfare and constituency.
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Further Learning:
And as ever, recommended reading curated by our friends at the LRB can be...
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