Peace in Ireland: The War of Ideas

From reviews:

‘Peace in Ireland sparkles. It is a profound meditation on the core value of democracy – the value of political equality’ (The Political Quarterly).

‘Richard Bourke’s background as a historian of ideas gives him an interesting philosophical perspective on an old problem and he strives nobly and intelligently to lift the debate above the lazy clichés employed by so many peace processors and commentators… Richard Bourke’s book deserves to be taken seriously; the author brings a clear and informed mind to a well-worn issue; and he has an interesting thesis’ (The Daily Telegraph).

‘Richard Bourke’s Peace in Ireland is the most illuminating account of the Northern Ireland conflict I have come across. Bourke blends a rich prose style, with a sharp analytical mind and a historian’s love of detail into a narrative of the twists and turns in the struggle for political power between Ireland’s rival nationalisms, Unionism and Republicanism. It charts the moments of war and peace from the fall of Charles Parnell, Ireland’s “Chief” in 1891, through the worst of the “troubles” in the partitioned North, to the milder politics of antagonism from the mid 1990’s to 2003, when the book was published’ (Open Democracy).

‘For anyone seriously concerned with the political fate of Northern Ireland, its contribution is quite remarkable’ (John Dunn, Professor of Politics, Cambridge University).

‘When the god of reason speaks, it often speaks in the accent of a particular political passion. Richard Bourke’s book has no “side”; its passion is purely intellectual. It tells a familiar story, but in a manner that will stimulate even the most jaded student of Northern Ireland politics. The book challenges those fashionable interpretations of Northern Ireland based on identity and ethnicity, and provides… penetrating criticism’ (Prospect Magazine).

‘A highly intelligent analysis of Northern Ireland’s peace process and an ambitious meditation on the relationship between democracy and equality’ (Linda Colley, Shelby M. C. Davis 1958 Professor of History, Princeton University).

‘Richard Bourke… has written a thoughtful and scholarly work. It is informed by a profound knowledge of political theory from Dean Tucker and Edmund Burke to the present day. This polished presentation also contains valuable original material on the attitudes of the British cabinet’ (The Irish Times).

‘A sustained and illuminating critique of the majoritarian mindset, both unionist and nationalist’ (Martin Mansergh, Former Adviser to the Irish Government).

‘…an ambitious argument’ (The Hindu).

‘…fluent and vivid… [Bourke] traces a series of nationalist idèes fixes back to their origins, and finds them half-baked… Inside this big… discursive book is an urgent call to look beneath appearances to underlying appearances… and it ought to be heeded’ (Financial Times).

‘…a radical reassessment of the conflict’ (The Irish Post).

‘This story is vividly and even-handedly told, based on impressive research… Bourke explores the implications with greater sophistication than almost anyone else’ (The Independent).

‘Peace in Ireland must be read’ (Fortnight Magazine).

‘…this is a fluent and thoughtful analysis of the current political paradox in Northern Ireland based on a rigorous treatment of republican and unionist history’ (Irish Political Studies).