Unionist Identity, External Perceptions of Northern Ireland, and the Problem of Unionist Legitimacy *

摘要: A common view in journalistic and academic commentary is that the recent internationalization of Northern Ireland conflict peace process has had a positive impact. (1) This perspective, however widely shared, carries subtly tendentious implications. While there are important exceptions, (2) unionists have main been significantly more suspicious involvement external actors such as United States European Union than nationalists, regarding unsympathetic. (3) Britain "external actor" most consistently provided counterbalancing support for unionists. In years, however, even British policy seemed to shift toward position neutrality between two communities, leaving feeling isolated. Affinities powerful forces politics unionism weak at best. consequence, many loyalists perceive an asymmetry Irish political leaders' attitudes their respective erstwhile allies Ireland. (4) Supported by historical context, this tension represented powerfully within unionist identity fear or other internal betrayal which times almost exceeds obscures animosity nationalist/republican "Other." (5) The often linked demonology idea pan-nationalist alliance conspiracy involving state's wholehearted backing mainstream republicanism North. Not only existence coherent actually myth, but researchers fail see much difference parties' (6) Viewed from context politics, considerable ambiguity exacerbates insecurities creates series tactical dilemmas. (7) ********* Unionists thus experienced greater difficulties nationalists republicans securing endorsement any significant audience cannot be explained simply reference particular ignorance among influences upon audiences Britain, States, continental Europe, since unionists' lack three locations seems likely underpinned some factors. importance factors can hardly overstated, they critical disruptive influence on current process. Many sense outside position, influenced practice enshrine trumpeted goal parity esteem "the traditions" Ireland, fact accords privilege nationalists: Hence not high proportion opposition unionist, repeatedly jeopardized progress date, may yet prove fatal. (9) To extent these problems also cumulative: It suggested that, relatively deprived support, discouraged further cultivating (10) tended entrench undertake self-criticism, (11) and, words one commentator, "retreat[ed] characteristically into sullen, charmless introspection cause influence." (12) Unionists' problem international legitimacy element recurrent marked fragile question particularly deserving investigation moment. As elections Assembly (November 2003) demonstrated, chagrin surprise observers, neither levels electoral anti-agreement nor show sign abating. …