The Origins and Rise of Dissident Irish Republicanism: The Role and Impact of Organizational Splits

by John F. Morrison

Overview

Throughout its history the Irish Republican Movement has been beset by splits. The former paramilitary and author Brendan Behan famously quipped that, 'The first thing on the agenda was always the split.' In this in-depth research Morrison analyses the splits through his extensive range of interviews with leadership and rank and file members of the political and paramilitary wings of the Movement. This timely analysis shows how the splits have both aided the politicization of Sinn Fein and the Provisional IRA while in parallel they have brought about the recent intensification of dissident Republican paramilitary activity. He charts the rise of groups including the Real IRA, Continuity IRA and the newly emerging 'New IRA.' By applying his unique process model of splits Morrison provides an insightful analysis of this long-lasting terrorist movement.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623560096
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	12/19/2013
Series:	New Directions in Terrorism Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	454 KB

About the Author

John F. Morrison is Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of East London, UK.
John F. Morrison is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of East London. Prior this he worked as a post-doctoral research fellow at the International Center for the Study of Terrorism at Pennsylvania State University. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of St. Andrews, as well as an MA in Forensic Psychology from University College Cork and a BA in Psychology from University College Dublin.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Towards 2016
Chapter 2: The Affirmation of Behan
Chapter 3: The Tinder Piles Up
Chapter 4: The Officials Split Again
Chapter 5: The Beginning of the End
Chapter 6: The Steps Into Peace
Chapter 7: United in Their Division, Divided in their Unity
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

"As Ireland, North and South, traverses its 'decade of centenaries' John F Morrison's study of dissident republicanism is particularly timely. Based on an extensive set of interviews with leaders and rank and file republicans it is the both analytically impressive and historically aware. It demonstrates how splits within republicanism have been essential to its ultimate embracing of peaceful methods whilst not eradicating its continuing potential for violence." --Henry Patterson, Professor of Politics at the University of Ulster, Ireland

"A welcome addition to a growing number of studies of political violence that explore the organizational dynamics of undergrounds. This authoritative analysis of factionalism within the Irish Republican movement shows how divisive questions of identity can be. The author presents a compelling account of how the long-term politicization of republicanism both caused and depended on the internal process of splintering into the dissident factions that threaten the peace today." --Martha Crenshaw, Senior Fellow, Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC), Stanford University, USA

From the Publisher

A welcome addition to a growing number of studies of political violence that explore the organizational dynamics of undergrounds. This authoritative analysis of factionalism within the Irish Republican movement shows how divisive questions of identity can be. The author presents a compelling account of how the long-term politicization of republicanism both caused and depended on the internal process of splintering into the dissident factions that threaten the peace today.

Martha Crenshaw

As Ireland, North and South, traverses its 'decade of centenaries' John F Morrison's study of dissident republicanism is particularly timely. Based on an extensive set of interviews with leaders and rank and file republicans it is the both analytically impressive and historically aware. It demonstrates how splits within republicanism have been essential to its ultimate embracing of peaceful methods whilst not eradicating its continuing potential for violence.

Henry Patterson