Ethno-Religious Conflict In Northern Ireland

The Troubles, is an ethno-religious conflict within Northern Ireland that occurred from 1968 to 1998. During this conflict, the constitutional status of Northern Ireland was questioned—will it remain with the United Kingdom or finally become a united Ireland? Many scholars in political science discuss the roots of this conflict as an ethnic divide, citing anti-Irish discrimination and the perpetuation of ethnic stereotypes for centuries. However, scholars within this field fail to acknowledge the strong religious identities and anti-Catholicism. Without divulging and understanding each identities’ religious beliefs, scholars fail to understand how each identity sees not only themselves, but also others. I argue that the Troubles is not an ethno-national conflict, but an ethno-religious conflict that promoted two extreme forms of nationalism--the same pattern that has been present for centuries. The presence of paramilitary groups and discrimination within the political system divided these two groups even further. The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 led to the official end of the conflict, and promoted peace and stability in Northern Ireland. With the recent controversy of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, the question of Northern Ireland’s constitutional status is back on the table.