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“Humespeak”: The Sdlp, Political Discourse, And The Northern Ireland Peace Process, P. J. Mcloughlin
“Humespeak”: The Sdlp, Political Discourse, And The Northern Ireland Peace Process, P. J. Mcloughlin
Peace and Conflict Studies
This paper explores the vital role played by the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in the formulation of a new political discourse and conceptual approach to the Northern Ireland problem. In particular, it shows how John Hume, party leader through the 1980s and 1990s, helped to propagate this discourse, and in doing so influenced policy-making in London and Dublin, and thinking within the republican movement. Although the paper emphasises the importance of this influence, it concludes by considering the reasons why the Ulster unionist community have remained so unreceptive to the political discourse of Hume and the SDLP.
Political Discourse In The Republic Of Ireland And Its Function In The Troubles And Peace Process In Northern Ireland, Catherine O'Donnell
Political Discourse In The Republic Of Ireland And Its Function In The Troubles And Peace Process In Northern Ireland, Catherine O'Donnell
Peace and Conflict Studies
Despite some historical divergence, political parties in the Republic of Ireland shared some key objectives in response to the Troubles. Most consistently, each of the main parties (Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael) sought to undermine support for the IRA in Northern Ireland and de-legitimise arguments by Sinn Féin and the IRA. Over the course of the peace process, such common priorities developed into a wider shared discourse on the principles for agreement in Northern Ireland. The parties in the Republic soon established a vocal consensus incorporating support for the Good Friday Agreement, Sinn Féin involvement in politics in Northern Ireland, …