- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
First published in 1978, The Politics of Legitimacy by Frank Burton examines the ideology and politics of the Provisional IRA through the socio-historical conditions of Northern Irish society. Drawing on an empirical investigation in the sociology of knowledge, Burton analyzes politicized violence broadly and focuses on one aspect of the Northern Ireland conflict in particular. His analysis is rooted in both an ethnographic study of a working-class Belfast community and theoretical traditions addressing social consciousness. Burton's central thesis argues that the Provisional IRA's ideology articulates the dominant categories of Northern Irish Catholic total ideology, which he defines through three interconnected elements: communalism, sectarianism, and republicanism. IRA ideology is framed as a politics of national liberation expressed through civil rights rhetoric, while the intensity of the Six County War is explained as a reflection of major ideological formations within the Catholic community. In the final chapter, Burton contrasts his analysis with press coverage and other political interpretations of the Northern Ireland conflict. This work serves as a vital historical reference for scholars and researchers of British, Irish, and political history.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover Page
- Half Title page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Original Title Page
- Original Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- 1 Ethnographic snapshots: the radical Gemeinschaft
- 2 Sectarianism: a category of ideological thought and form of practice in Northern Ireland
- 3 Republicanism: the IRA and the community
- 4 Leaps into the dark: views into and from the inside
- Appendix 1: Theory and methodology in participant observation
- Appendix 2: Some residents' drawings of Anro's mythological figures
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index