Shirlow, P. & McGovern, M. Who Are 'The People'? Unionism, Protestantism and Loyalist in Northern Ireland (London, 1997)
An excellent collection of essays which attempts to address some of the less well understood aspects of Ulster Unionist politics. Particularly useful are the chapters by Arthur Aughey, Alan Finlayson and Duncan Morrow. Aughey's contribution, "The Character of Ulster Unionism", contends that there are two ideas at the heart of unionism which are sometimes conflicting but practically interrelated. The first is the idea of the "constitutional people" which defines the nation as those who are bound by the procedures and forms of the established constitution. The second is the radical idea of the sovereign people - invested with a metaphysical principal existing apart from any institutions and having an explicitly ethnic character. Aughey argues that when unionist's membership of the constitutional nation is undermined (by Irish Nationalism), the sovereign people takes over.
Finlayson makes a postmodernist analysis of unionism, adding a valuable new perspective. He describes the Northern Ireland Conflict as arising from two markedly different interpretations of the political situation. This is not a reflection of conflict but the cause. This is an interesting argument but I think it should be remembered that different imaginings of community are a product of historical and social as well as political processes. They don't just happen. see culture and conflict
Morrow's chapter, entitled 'Suffering for Righteousness' Sake?' is perhaps the most valuable. He analyses the role of Protestant Fundamentalism in Unionism. He argues that Fundamentalism has been used to "read back" events in Northern Ireland into a mythical reading of the Bible. It is a reading which allows Protestants to be assured of their essential goodness and appeals to people who are not theological Fundamentalists. Morrow points to the relationship between the ontological characterisation of Catholicism as evil which this ideology involves and anti-Catholic violence. He also emphasises the fact that for all its importance, Fundamentalism is not central to Unionism.
Dunlop, J. A Precarious Belonging; Presbyterians and the conflict in Ireland (Belfast 1995)
Written by a Presbyterian Minister, John Dunlop, who was involved in the negotiations which brought about the Loyalist ceasefires, this book attempts to tell one of the previously untold stories of Northern Ireland. Most studies of Unionism tend to see a monolith, perhaps fooled by the political unity of Unionism between the Home Rule Crises ad the start of the Troubles. In fact, 'Unionism' covers a diversity of groups. The largest religious denomination amongst Ireland's Protestants are the Presbyterians. This is a much-needed account of the experience of this group during the Troubles, and of their responses to the Troubles.
Forum For Peace and Reconciliation Building Trust in Ireland (Belfast 1996)
The Forum was created by the Irish Government after the IRA Ceasefire as a vehicle for Sinn Fein to come into formal contact with Unionists. The plan failed because Unionists didn't take part, never having been consulted about the plan in the first place (they felt that it was too early to take the IRA on trust). This book is a collection of reports which the Forum commissioned and although it contains more wishful thinking than it should, there is also some useful contributions. There is, for instance, an examination of obstacles to reconciliation in the Republic, a much neglected area - most assume that all the problems are in the North. There is also an examination of what has happened to the Protestant population in the Republic and an attempt to explain why it is so much smaller than it once was.
Beckett, J.C. Confrontations; Studies in Irish History (Belfast 1972)
One of the seminal works in Irish History which cuts through some of the mythology which continues to surround Irish politics. Beckett's chapter on Irish-Scottish Relations in the seventeenth century, for instance, emphasises the foolishness of treating Irish history, politics and culture as somehow separate from Britain.
Colley, L. Britons; Forging the Nation 1702-1832 (London 1992)
This contains no direct reference to Ireland but there is obvious relevance. Colley tells the story of the development of the British Nation and it is a story of which Ulster Protestants are very much a part. This explains their insistence on their Britishness.
English, R. & Walker, G. Unionism in Modern Ireland; New Perspectives on Politics and Culture (Dublin 1996)
This is a history book which looks at the development of unionism and tries to include many of those strands which have been overlooked in other studies. For instance, there is a very good chapter on Thomas Sinclair, a leading Liberal Unionist in the 19th Century and another on Ulster and the British Problem, i.e.. just what is Britain and how does Northern Ireland fit into it?
Nairn, T. The Breakup of Britain; Crisis and Neo-Nationalism (London, 1977)
Nairn's idea is that Britain is a colonial construct which has had its day. I don't accept his analysis at all - I think he reads the evidence in the way that suits him rather than taking it on its merits - but it is an interesting argument.
Ulster Unionist Party, Nature of the Northern Ireland Community (Belfast, 1992)
This is part of the UUP's preliminary submission to multi-party talks which were convened by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Brooke. This pamphlet is a valuable insight into the fundamental beliefs of the party.
Porter, N., Rethinking Unionism; An Alternative vision for Northern Ireland (Belfast, 1996)
Porter wrote this on returning to Northern Ireland (and joining the Ulster Unionist Party) after living in Australia. He gives his critique of contemporary Unionism, which he divides into what he calls 'cultural' and 'liberal' Unionism, and offers his alternative. He calls this 'civic' unionism. His idea for the future of Northern Ireland is it's development into a 'cultural corridor' in which Britishness and Irishness would meet and be accommodated in a fluid relationship. Northern Ireland would exhibit the best of both (rather, one might say, than the worst of both). Although I would take issue with his analysis of contemporary Unionism, which is perhaps a bit simplistic and lacking in historical perspective and context, it is interesting to note that his ideas for the future are consistent with the Good Friday Agreement. Or rather with one reading of the Agreement. It needs to be developed but it could certainly provide the starting point for a form of Unionism which could take the initiative in the second generation peace process.
Hyndman, M., Further Afield; Journeys from a Protestant Past (Belfast, 1996)
This is a collection of interviews with people from an Ulster Protestant background who do not conform to the stereotype. They include Socialists, Republicans, an Animal Liberationist and an Aid Worker among others. The strength of the book is that it tells stories that one wouldn't expect. Its weakness is that it concentrates solely on people who have consciously rejected the culture which they were brought up in. It necessarily, therefore, presents a rather jaundiced view of that culture. It is, by its nature, unrepresentative. It has value, but be careful to read it in context.