NCJ Number
86074
Journal
Social Research Volume: 48 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1981) Pages: 100-134
Date Published
1981
Length
35 pages
Annotation
Only a democratization of the British social structure will enable the people of Northern Ireland to move away from terrorism to a more peaceful future. The Northern Ireland situation is actually a three-sided politicoeconomic struggle in which ethnicity based upon religious beliefs and institutions is used as an agitational tool.
Abstract
The three sides are the Protestant (Orange), the Roman Catholic (Green), and the politicoeconomic power structure centered in plutocratic multinational corporations (mainly English and American). These corporations use the United Kingdom security forces to continue the ancient tradition of exploiting the old Orange-Green division. Workers in Northern Ireland earn the lowest average wages in the United Kingdom while maintaining high productivity. The security forces act mainly as benign peace-restorers, but also conduct searches, seizures, interrogations, and arrests. Protestant paramilitaries are convinced that violence is the main recourse available to them. They have lost control and fear that the rank-and-file will join with Roman Catholic workers to reorganize society. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), made up of Catholics, believes that terrorism can demoralize the British soldiers, undermine Protestant confidence in the British establishment, protect the lives and property in Roman Catholic areas, and recruit additional operatives. Unless British and Irish leaders become willing and able to work out a more democratically representative and socialized society in Northern Ireland, the violent struggle is likely to continue. A total of 83 footnotes are provided.