Religion and Nation - The State of Northern Ireland

Résumé du document

The Northern Ireland conflict has been a topic of discussion for the last 30 years. Due to the long history of this conflict, and the numerous influences for an independent Northern Ireland, a solution has been held as nearly impossible for a long time. Undoubtedly, the differences in religion play a very important role for the insolubility of the problem. The aim of this paper is to help to understand the Northern Ireland conflict, with a special focus on religion and the national environment. These two subjects play an important part, in order to describe and analyze the conflict. In this context, first, a short description of Northern Ireland in regards to geography and population is given, which gives a supportive understanding of the province. This is followed by a brief history, which explains the development of the conflict and also the views of the conflict today, as they are still characterized by historical events. Thirdly, a description of the nation as a whole will be given as well as of the political environment that also has had a key role in the conflict. After that, a closer analysis of the role of religion will be done. Finally, conclusions will be drawn on the findings of the state of Northern Ireland.

Extraits

[...] Mc Kenna, F., Lynn, I., Miller, B., (n.d.). Background Information on Northern Ireland Society - Religion, CAIN Web Service, retrieved from: http:/cain.ulst.ac.uk. Melaugh, M., (n.d.). Background Information on Northern Ireland Society - Geography, CAIN Web Service, retrieved from: http:/cain.ulst.ac.uk. Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia, (2003). Microsoft Cooperation. Murrow, D., Birell, D., Greer, J., O'Keeffe, T. (1994). The Churches and Inter-Community Relationships. Centre for the Study of Conflict University of Ulster. [...]

[...] school, violence and the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. The existence of poverty in these areas has for long even been used as an apology for the fights of the IRA (Murrow, 1994) Conclusion Even though IRA has recently handed over its weapons, peace is weak. After 30 years of violence, unification seems to be more and more distant. Neither of the two parties are likely to forget hate and bitterness. Especially the Catholics, which in Northern Ireland can be seen as a national minority, are still demanding an independent Northern Ireland and they do not accept the referendum that dealt with this question. [...]

[...] The agreement was approved on May 22nd 1998 in two separate referenda for the people in Northern Ireland and the people in the Republic of Ireland. A copy was delivered to every home in Northern Ireland and the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, whish was viewed as the end to the conflict, was welcomed enthusiastically around the world. As a result of the agreement, implementations have now begun (Mc Kenna & Melaugh, n.d.). The main contents of the Good Friday Agreement: Northern Ireland stays as a part of the United Kingdom. [...]

[...] The province's population consists of 48.74 percent males and 51.26 percent females. The age structure is the youngest in the United Kingdome with 54.6 percent being under the age of 35, and 23.62 percent being younger than 16. The employment rate in Northern Ireland for people of working age was among the lowest in the country with 69.2 percent. (National statistics, 2005) 3. History[1] Throughout history, the island of Ireland has been regarded as a single national unit. Prior to the Norman invasion from England in 1169, the Irish had their own system of law, culture and language and their own political and social structures. [...]

[...] Republican leaders (including Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness) are flown to London by the British Government for talks with Secretary of State William Whitelaw. But the British Army breaks truce and invades Free Londonderry/Derry and areas in Belfast Power-sharing “Sunningdale Executive” is brought down by Ulster Workers' Council strike supported by unionist politicians and enforced by loyalist paramilitaries New truce between IRA and British Army leads to “Truce Monitoring Centres” liaising between republicans and British Government officials. There is a heightened campaign by loyalist death squads. [...]