The Struggle for Peace : The Role of Civil Society During the Troubles, 1968-1998

Abstract

The Troubles was a conflict in Northern Ireland from 1968 to 1998 between the nationalist Irish Republican Army and the Unionist/British forces. It was split largely due to religious and political views. Unionists were more likely to be protestant Christians, while Republicans were more likely to be Catholic. Non-governmental organizations, religious institutions, and grassroots movements which make up civil society played an indirect, yet important role in the Troubles peace process. Other historians have explored the Troubles, but they tend to focus on the political and social issues as they seem more prevalent to the issue. Some works have covered these civil societies, with some saying that they are beneficial and contributed to the peace process indirectly, while other historians state that these NGOs and other groups are irrelevant towards the political process. This paper uses a range of sources such as newspapers, NGO statements, personal accounts, and government documents. The subject matter is important because when historians examine the Troubles academics tend to first look towards the political and social leaders. The goal of this paper is to examine civil society in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, which fosters a broader view of the conflict and the deeply divided society. Civil society in Northern Ireland played an important, yet indirect political and social role during the Troubles.