The Edge of the Union: The Ulster Loyalist Political Vision - Hardcover

Bruce, Steve

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198279752 ISBN 13: 9780198279754

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1994

Synopsis

On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Northern Ireland "Troubles," once-dominant unionists are an increasingly alienated people. In this timely assessment of prospects for peace, Steve Bruce describes the increasingly embittered world view of the loyalist terrorists and the evangelical supporters of Ian Paisley and considers what these two important sections of Ulster unionism want, what they expect, and how they are liable to react to any of the political futures that are likely to be on offer. In describing the Troubles as a deeply entrenched ethnic conflict, the author argues that the strength of loyalist identity both defies much social science thinking about Northern Ireland and offers a more serious obstacle to government policy than is widely thought.

About this title

About the Author

Steve Bruce is Professor of Sociology at the University of Aberdeen.

Review

`Perhaps the most comprehensive exposition of Loyalist political culture to date.'
The Sunday Telegraph

`Loyalists talked to him as one of their own ... this book is unlikely to cause pleasure in official circles, but it should be read by every voter.'
The Independent on Sunday

`Bruce brings out the importance of religion in the loyalist world-view, and gives up-to-date insight into how Protestants see talks and the "peace process".'
New Statesman and Society

`a valuable, and illuminating contribution to the present debate'
The Irish Times

`No one who reads Bruce's account could any longer believe that the conflict is mainly, or even in part, the result of misunderstanding between the two communities'
Sunday Telegraph

`This is a well-written, intelligent and timely work and has not dated as rapidly as Professor Bruce fears in his introductory remarks. His reasoning throughout is logical, and by the end of the book one has as good a grasp of loyalist political views as one could hope to get from a book of
just over 170 pages ... both the hardback and paperback are well produced and attractively laid out. The book is well-indexed and references are compiled in endnotes at the back.'
Terrorism and Political Violence

`This, without doubt, is a very important book, which all those interested in Northern Ireland should read ... The importance - and indeed fascination - of this book lies in the insight it gives into loyalist thought ... The excellence of this book will be evident to anyone who reads it.'
Talking Politics

`...an excellent postulation of the Unionist cause in Northern Ireland...this book is essential to our view of 'The Troubles''
Political Studies

`...the main importance of this book is his great understanding of the loyalist vision and his ability to convey its polausibility.'
Bullan, an Irish Studies Journal

`The Edge of the Union, as well as offering a necessary perspective on Northern Ireland, throws the light of actuality on contemporary theoretical preoccupations with the forms and claims of national and cultural identity.'
Radical Philosophy

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0198279752
• ISBN 13: 9780198279754
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 188