For almost three decades the troubles in Northern Ireland raged, claiming over 3,600 lives, with civilians accounting for almost half the fatalities. In this book, Jonathan Tonge examines the reasons for that conflict; the motivations of the groups involved and explores the prospects for a post-conflict Northern Ireland.

The book:

• 
  
• assesses the motivations and campaigns of the IRA, UVF and UDA and other armed groups
  
• discusses what each paramilitary group achieved through violence
  
• analyses the continuing controversies surrounding the Northern Irelands dirty war
  
• outlines the extent of collusion between British security forces and loyalist paramilitaries
  
• explores how governments and political parties shaped the peace process
  
• scrutinizes prospects for the political development of unionism and nationalism within a devolved power sharing framework
  
• examines whether the sectarian divide is strengthening or weakening
  
• concludes by assessing whether Northern Ireland can move permanently from violence and instability to become a normal peaceful polity, in which the war is merely a historic relic

Written by an acknowledged expert in the field, Northern Ireland combines incisive analysis, original research and a lucid style to provide an important assessment of what has been described as an 800 year old problem.

About the Author
Jonathan Tonge is Professor of Politics at Salford University

Reviews
"This is an insightful and scholarly book, which skilfully examines recent changes in the political dynamics of Northern Ireland. The author provides a detailed analysis of the leading protagonists and the key political issues which is thoroughly researched, incisive and thought-provoking. For anyone interested in learning more about why the peace process has stuttered so badly in recent years, this book is a must read."

Feargal Cochrane, Lancaster University

"Jonathan Tonge's knowledge of Northern Ireland is prodigious and his research is painstaking, sharp and detached. He has an eye for the telling comment. This book displays all these qualities. Not only does it audit the status of the peace process but it offers an agenda for moving politics forward. This is a must read for politicians and policy-makers as well as students."

Paul Arthur, University of User

Book Information
ISBN 9780745631417
Author Jonathan Tonge
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Polity Press
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 336g
Dimensions(mm) 217mm * 139mm * 17mm