Sectarian readings of sectarianism: Interpreting the Northern Ireland Census

摘要: Sectarian 'headcounting' is a built-in feature of Northern Ireland poli? tics. It was central to the delimitation as six Ulster's nine counties. This intended give 'safe7 two one majority Protestants and unionists over Catholics nationalists; achieving it had meant ditching fellow in Don? egal, Cavan Monaghan who been an integral part Ulster opposition Irish 'Home Rule'. therefore not at all surprising that public discourse around Census usually domi? nated by sectarian headcounting 1991 no excep? tion. However, recent has unusually sensationalist misleading, for reason exceptionally revealing mind set, particularly on unionist side. fed paranoia nationalist triumphalism, both which are politically self-defeating. now conventional wisdom becoming more segregated religious-political lines. widely believed gaining numbers territory expense Protestants, Ireland's divided soci? ety inexorably geographically separated communi? ties. Analysis data religious distributions place residence comparisons with 1971 seemed confirm growing 'apartheid' many long suspected; statistics apparently heralded decisive shift balance power favour Catholic nationalists, whole particular areas. Interpretations changes claimed there widespread desire separation, fuelled search security face so-called 'ethnic cleans? ing' paramilitaries sides. There can however be fine line between analysing sectarianism propagating it, policies would lessen conflict ones institutionalise reinforce it. That