Consociational Power-Sharing in Northern Ireland

“This unique volume brings together leading scholars to tackle the underexamined question of generational change and nationalism, with a focus on the “small nations” of Catalonia, Scotland Quebec that are internal to states. What emerges is a gripping comparative account of how, as a result of generations, nationalist movements may shift in orientation, and support for nationalist projects like independence may ebb and flow. In providing new pathways and theoretical anchors for explaining continuity and change, this collection is essential reading for understanding nationalism as a force shaping the 21st century.” Yasmeen Abu-Laban, Professor of Political Science and Canada Research Chair in the Politics of Citizenship and Human Rights, The University of Alberta “Studies of nationalism frequently refer to differences amongst generations but this is the first truly comparative, conceptually sophisticated and thoroughly researched study of the phenomenon. It will be essential reading for those interested in Quebec Catalonia and Scotland for students of nationalism in general.” Michael Keating, Emeritus Professor of politics, Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh “This collective work focuses on an interesting and renewed analytical subject: the role played by different generations or citizens’ cohorts in nationalist and secessionist movements in current liberal democracies. The approach includes cohort, life-cycle and period effects through a critical conceptual framework and a comparative analysis between three empirical cases: Quebec, Scotland and Catalonia. In continuity with the Mannheim classical seminal work on “The Problem of Generations” and the post-war scholar literature on recognition and political accommodation of minority nations in plurinational states, this book accurately highlights how generational changes influence national and secessionist movements. This work may acquire a special relevance for other minority nations that share with the analysed cases the support of liberal democratic values, the rejection of violence, inclusive conceptions of national membership, as well as specific failures in their respective constitutional states at the moment of achieving political recognition and a just and workable constitutional accommodation.” Ferran Requejo, Professor of Political Science, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona) ""This is a vital book on Northern Ireland’s consociational political arrangements. A collection of leading authors critically dissect the strengths and weaknesses of power-sharing between rival blocs. Although public support for the Good Friday Agreement remains strong, episodic collapses of the political institutions created by that 1998 deal have led to calls for reform. This volume analyses the value of power-sharing; explores the extent to which fragility is in-built within the polity; considers whether a consociation can ever degrade the bloc divisions it manages; and assesses how its democratic institutions might evolve. The book is an essential read for anyone wanting to better understand the difficult dynamics of managing a divided society."" Jonathan Tonge, Professor of Politics, University of Liverpool ""Northern Ireland’s peace was never meant to stand still. This urgent and unflinching collection reveals the cracks beneath the surface—fractured identities, stalled reforms, and politics in flux. With sharp contributions from leading voices including Brendan O’Leary, Matthijs Bogaards, Joseph Ruane, and Jennifer Todd, it asks the hard questions: what was promised, what was delivered, and what still lies ahead? Essential reading for anyone navigating the challenges of post-conflict consociational democracy."" Michael Kerr, Professor of Conflict Studies, King's College London ""This collection captures a moment at which the shine has come off consociationalism in Northern Ireland. These essays confront the challenges in applying consociational ideas in Northern Ireland amid the upheavals of Brexit and demographic shift, and the groups marginalised as a result. This makes for essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the process by which a society outgrows the strictures imposed by such a governance order and the challenges inherent in adapting such arrangements."" Colin Murray, Professor of Law and Democracy, Newcastle University 'Agarin and Taylor have assembled an impressive range of contributors to offer a comprehensive perspective on Northern Ireland’s consociational conundrum, which remains a paradigmatic case of ethnic conflict regulation. Individually and collectively, they explore what has and has not worked well since the original agreement in 1998. The intellectual depth of the analysis is outstanding, making this collection required reading for any student of the political dynamics of divided societies.' Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham