Ideology and the Irish Question

Ulster Unionism and Irish Nationalism 1912-1916

Paul Bew

Clarendon Press

'Paul Bew's scintillating new book . . . as inventive and forceful as anything he has written . . . Ideology and the Irish Question begins with an eloquent plea against "partitionist history". His eventual achievement is to demonstrate why such a thing developed. In all this, it is a timely as well as a deeply impressive book.' Roy Foster, Irish Political Studies
'This short book ought to be required reading for teachers of history at all levels and the general reader alike. . . . the study of the decline of Home Rule has rarely been analysed by scholars in an inclusive, all-Ireland context. . . . This thought-provoking work is essential reading.' Dermot Keogh, The Irish Times
'The book, which is a small treasure trove of facts and argument on the period, is perhaps at its best in its examination in depth of the position of the last constitutional nationalist of that period, John Redmond.' The Times Literary Supplement

Ideology and the Irish Question

Ulster Unionism and Irish Nationalism 1912-1916

Paul Bew

Clarendon Press

Description

Going right to the heart of the Irish Question, Paul Bew offers a new interpretation of Irish politics in the critical 1912-1916 period. He re-examines the issues at stake in the home rule crisis of 1912-14, arguing that the then leader of constitutional nationalism, John Redmond, possessed a plausible political strategy. Redmond's reputation has suffered from the critiques of those who argue either that he failed to conciliate Unionists, or that he lacked the requisite fighting spirit of militant nationalism. This book contains much that is a sympathetic reconstruction of Redmond's vision but it also acknowledges the seriousness of the Ulster Unionist case.

Bew analyses the debate concerning land, economy, religion, language, and national identity in the period, and ends with a discussion of the Easter Rising of 1916 which destroyed Redmond's party. He draws out the political, cultural, and economic implications of this development and examines their continuing effect on Irish history.