What, in your view, were the significant factors which brought about conflict in Northern Ireland?

Résumé du document

There seems to be a common feeling among the political and opinion leaders that some conflicts have last forever and will, somehow, always remain. This goes along with the assertion that some people can't overcome their ancient hatreds or differences, such as that between Israeli and Palestinians, Russians and Chechens, or Irish and British among others. Not only is this untrue, but it also conveys the idea that the Northern-Irish conflict is based on ethnic criteria; on an ontological opposition between the protestant Anglo-Normans and the catholic Celts. To me, the roots of the conflict have to be sought for in a political explanation that rests on three factors: property, power and perception.

Extraits

[...] On the contrary, just as the religious factor, it has been strengthened by the tension between the two communities. Tradition and values offered an asylum to those deprived of their lands and rights. They were eager to emphasize on this “cultural exception” as a way of resistance to the British forces, but not as a reason to fight. There is no fatality in international politics. The Northern-Irish conflict is deeply rooted in the island political history, but for its very causes are political, the solutions may come from politics as well. [...]

[...] But, acting as an occupying force, not reluctant to deter any resistance by military means, they created an unequal balance of power. This was particularly obvious in the economic sphere: Irish land owners have been deprived from their properties, either to offer attractive lands to settlers or as a punishment. The first troubles occurred because of economic claims, long before political demands were at stake. In the recent years, economic issues were directly responsible for some of the troubles, the Catholic majority suffering restricting access to valuable employments and housing. [...]

[...] Extremist leaders tend to be more successful when playing on people's apprehension. Religion has been put forward as the main cause for conflict. This is not a satisfying explanation to me. Religion, as often, has been used as a tool to reinforce this perception of the other, the enemy, as a different person with who no agreement is likely to happen unless it is passed by force. The first nationalist leaders in Ireland were protestant, for they belonged to the well-educated ascendancy. [...]

[...] What, in your view, were the significant factors which brought about conflict in Northern Ireland? There seems to be a common feeling among the political and opinion leaders: the sense that some conflicts have last forever and will, somehow, always remain. This goes along with the assertion that some people can't come over their ancient hatreds or differences: Israeli and Palestinians, Russians and Chechens, Irish and British. Not only is this untrue, but it moreover conveys the idea that the Northern-Irish conflict is based on ethnic criteria, on an ontological opposition between the protestant Anglo- Normans and the catholic Celts. [...]