Active Positive Peace in Northern Ireland

Callista Wilson
Mr. Roddy
Global Politics and Historical Contexts
8 December 2018

Active Positive Peace in Northern Ireland
Between the years 1960 and 1998, a conflict within Northern Ireland occurred called “The Troubles.” This occurred because the Protestant unionists (majority) believed in remaining part of the United Kingdom, and the Catholic nationalists (minority) thought that Northern Ireland should become politically merged with the rest of Ireland.  However, in 1998 Northern Ireland came to an agreement which was seen as beneficial for both the United Kingdom and Ireland. Since then, Northern Ireland has experienced active positive peace. The agreement, known as The Good Friday Agreement or The Belfast Agreement was signed by political leaders of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and four prominent political parties in Northern Ireland. The agreement concluded that Northern Ireland would remain a member of United Kingdom, however, they had the ability to break away and become part of Ireland at any given point, provided that a majority in both Ireland and Northern Ireland was in favor. Additionally, Northern Ireland established Belfast as their capital and as a political center where an extension of the United Kingdom Parliament could be managed. Here, people in Northern Ireland became more drawn to resolving any lingering tensions politically instead of through the use of violence. This case is an example of positive peace as political harmony has allowed for unionists and nationalists to collaborate on making choices about trade, health, education, and agriculture. According to the Council for Foreign Relations, “The assembly requires support from both unionists and nationalists to make important decisions, ensuring that neither can dominate.” In 2002, the St. Andrew's agreement was signed by the United Kingdom, and the major political parties of Northern Ireland which outlined a precise timeline which proposed how power would be delegated and transferred from representatives in London to representatives in Belfast. Also, in 2010 The Hillsborough Agreement was signed by the Sinn Fein political party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) which sealed the agreements made in 2002, and established order in terms of how the unionists and the nationalists would cooperate. Currently, Northern Ireland still remains in positive peace, and is part of the United Kingdom. However, if Brexit is passed, and the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, than the economy of Northern Ireland could be damaged due to trade limitations. If this happens than protestant unionists in Northern Ireland could be given an incentive to join the rest of Ireland.
Bibliography
Owen, Paul. “What Is the St Andrews Agreement?” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 17 Oct. 2006, www.theguardian.com/politics/2006/oct/17/northernireland.devolution1.   

“The Northern Ireland Peace Process.” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/northern-ireland-peace-process.

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