Fighting for Ireland?: The Military Strategy of the Irish Republican Movement

ISBN-13: 9780415163347 / Angielski / Miękka / 1997 / 294 str.

M. L. R. Smith

Opis

This text presents an account of the evolution of Irish Republican strategy. It is topical in the light of the faltering peace process and the growing speculation over the IRA's next move: further violence or a new non-violent strategy? This updated paperback edition should be useful reading for those who wish to disentangle the complex issues and motives behind IRA violence. M.L.R. Smith challenges many assumptions about the IRA, pinpointing the organization's successes as well as its missed opportunities. He demonstrates the tension the movement has experienced between ideology and strategic reality regarding the use of force, illustrating how doctrinal purity has sometimes hampered the IRA in the pursuit of its goals. Contrary to the Irish Republican movement's vigorous and assertive public face Smith uncovers an organization characterized more by a sense of chronic insecurity than by certainty and continuity.

Recenzje

'A timely ... and welcome addition on an important subject.' - Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, IIS

'The best recent account of the splits within the republican movement, and the reasons for those splits. As such it must become compulsory reading for anyone interested in current political negotiations.' - Joanna Bourke, Bulletin

Spis treści

Introduction; 1: The Irish republican military mind; 2: Transitions in Irish republican strategy; 3: Political control versus the autonomous military instrument; 4: The military ascendancy; 5: The erosion of Provisional IRA strategy, 1972–1977; 6: The evolution of PIRA's total strategy, 1977–1983; 7: A continuing military enigma; 8: Ending the isolation? Ending the violence?; Conclusion

O autorze

M.L.R. Smith