The Edge of the Union : The Ulster Loyalist Political Vision: The Ulster Loyalist Political VisionOxford University Press, UK, Jul 12, 1994 - 188 pages On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Northern Ireland `Troubles' the Ulster Loyalists are an increasingly alienated people. In this timely book Steve Bruce provides crucial insights into the Loyalist world-view. Describing the troubles as a deeply entrenched ethnic conflict, he argues that a widespread failure to take into account the strength and importance of the loyalist identity will scupper the chances of peace. - ;On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Northern Ireland Troubles, Ulster's once dominant unionists are an increasingly alienated people. In this timely assessment of the prospects for peace, Steve Bruce examines the embittered world-view of two key sections of Ulster unionism: loyalist terrorists and the evangelical supporters of Ian Paisley. To get to the heart of the unionist position, he asks how they see the last twenty-five years, what they want from the future, what they think they will get, what they will accept, and what they will fight to oppose. Professor Bruce describes the Troubles as a deeply entrenched ethnic conflict. He argues that a failure to appreciate the strength of the loyalist identity has prevented a proper understanding of the Troubles, and that continued neglect of the majority makes strategies for peace pointless or counter-productive. - ;On Steve Bruce's previous book, God Save Ulster!: `his interpretation of the Northern Ireland problem can be considered amongst the most satisfying in the literature' Times Higher Education Supplement - ;`an intelligent and at times brilliant attempt to understand a particular religious outlook' New Statesman - ;Publishing on Orange Day, 12 July - |
Contents
GUNMEN AND EVANGELICALS | 1 |
THE DISMAL VISION | 37 |
TALKS | 72 |
THE LOYALIST AGENDA | 99 |
THE POLITICS OF ETHNIC IDENTITY | 122 |
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accept agenda agreement Anglo-Irish accord announced attacks Barr believe bomb Britain British government campaign Catholics cent claims constitutional councillor councils criticism cultural declaration defend democratic Derry Downing Street declaration Dublin Dublin government Dublin involvement elections ethnic conflict ethnic group evangelicals example favour Free Presbyterian Gerry Fitt gunmen Ian Paisley Independent IRA's John Hume killed Labour large numbers leaders liberal London loyalist paramilitaries loyalist violence majority murder nationalist negotiations Northern Ireland conflict organization Paisley's peace persuade political politicians poll population position Presbyterian Church religion religious republican response SDLP sectarian security forces sense Shankill Road side Sinn Fein small number social Stormont talks targets Terence O'Neill terror terrorists thinking traditions UDA and UVF Ulster loyalism Ulster loyalists Ulster Protestants Ulster Unionist unionism Unionist Party united Ireland United Kingdom vote west Belfast Westminster working-class