Abstract
This study attempts to understand the perceived contribution of the International Fund for Ireland and European Union Peace II Fund in reducing violence and sectarianism in Northern Ireland (NI). We employ cross tabulations and nonlinear binary response models using public opinion survey data as well as analysis of 98 interviews conducted during the summer of 2006. Overall, we find Unionists to be less optimistic than Nationalists about the contribution of international economic assistance in reducing violence in NI. The perception of respondents about the role of international economic assistance in peacebuilding varies across gender, political affiliation and the nature of the relationship between individual and the funding agencies. The interview data reveals both the constructive and destructive potential of economic aid in NI's peacebuilding and post-violence development processes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bew, P., Gibbon, P. and Patterson, H. (1995) Northern Ireland, 1921–94: Political Forces and Social Classes. London: Serif.
Boulding, E. (1990) Building a Global Civic Culture: Education for an Interdependent World. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press.
Byrne, S. (1997) Growing Up in A Divided Society: The Influence of Conflict on Belfast Schoolchildren. Cranbury, NJ: Associated University Press.
Byrne, S. and Irvin, C. (2001) Economic aid and policymaking: Building the peace dividend in Northern Ireland. Policy and Politics 29 (1): 413–429.
Byrne, S. and Irvin, C. (2002) A shared common sense: Perceptions of the material effects and impacts of economic growth in Northern Ireland. Civil Wars 5 (1): 55–86.
Byrne, S., Irvin, C., Fissuh., E. and Cunningham, C. (2006) People's perceptions of the role of economic assistance in conflict reduction in Northern Ireland. Peace and Conflict Studies 13 (2): 1–21.
Byrne, S. and Keashly, L. (2000) Working with ethno-political conflict: A multi-modal and multi-level approach to conflict intervention. International Peacekeeping 7 (2): 97–120.
Curle, A. (1990) Tools for Transformation: A Personal Study. Wallbridge, UK: Hawthorn Press.
Fitzduff, M. (2002) Beyond Violence: Conflict Resolution Process in Northern Ireland. New York: United Nations University Press.
Galtung, J. (1996) Peace by Peaceful Means: Peace and Conflict, Development and Civilization. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Goodhand, J. (2006) Aiding Peace? The Role of NGOs in Armed Conflict, Boulder. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner.
Guelke, A. (1988) Northern Ireland: The International Perspective. Dublin, Ireland: Macmillan.
Hoffler, K. (2002) The Role of Insurance in Managing Extreme Events: Implications for Terrorist Coverage. Wharton, PA: Financial Institutions Center.
Lederach, J.P. (1995) Preparing for Peace: Conflict Transformation Across Cultures, Syracuse. New York: Syracuse University Press.
McGarry, J. and O'Leary, B. (2007) Politics of Antagonism: Understanding Northern Ireland. Oxford: Routledge.
Millward Brown Ulster. (2006) Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey. Belfast: Millward Brown Ulster. http://www.ums-research.com.
O'Hearn, D. (2000) Peace dividend, foreign investment, and economic regeneration: The Northern Irish case. Social Problems 47 (2): 1–27.
Paris, R. (2004) At War's End: Building Peace After Conflict. Cambridge: University Press.
Schock, K. (1996) A conjunctural model of political conflict: The impact of political opportunities on the relationships between economic inequality and violent political conflict. The Journal of Conflict Resolution 40 (1): 98–133.
Solimano, A. (2004) Political violence and economic development in Latin America: Issues and evidence. Paper presented at a UN-ECLAC/UNUWIDER Conference Making Peace Work; 4–5 June, Helsinki.
Woolport, S., Slaton, C.D. and Schwerin, E. (eds.) (1998) Transformational Politics: Theory, Study and Practice. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Jessica Senehi, Hamdesa Tuso, Tom Boudreau and the anonymous reviewers from the International Politics for reading various drafts of this article. This research project is supported by a 3-year research grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Byrne, S., Fissuh, E., Thiessen, C. et al. The role of the International Fund for Ireland and the European Union Peace II Fund in reducing violence and sectarianism in Northern Ireland. Int Polit 47, 229–250 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1057/ip.2010.5
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/ip.2010.5