Sponsor
Portland State University. Department of Conflict Resolution
First Advisor
Mel Gurtoy
Term of Graduation
Winter 2000
Date of Publication
3-8-2000
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Conflict Resolution
Department
Conflict Resolution
Language
English
Subjects
Conflict management -- Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland -- Politics and government -- 1968-1998, Northern Ireland -- Social conditions -- 1969-
Physical Description
1 online resource (156 pages)
Abstract
Recent exploration into methods of preventing the escalation of conflicts, which are inherent in any society, to violent or deadly conflict suggests that social and political structures are an important factor in averting armed conflict. The Carnegie Commission on the Prevention of Deadly Conflict has recommended through their research that three areas are important in the structural prevention of deadly conflict: They are Well-Being, Justice and Security.
The purpose of this thesis is to examine the usefulness of the structural prevention model in the context of an actual conflict. To this end, the conflict in Northern Ireland 1967-1973 has been examined through counterfactual analysis to determine if armed conflict could have been averted. This study sought to answer the following questions: Could deadly conflict have been averted in Northern Ireland if structural prevention policies had been implemented? Were structural prevention policies politically feasible at the time? If structural prevention policies were a feasible option what kept them from being implemented?
Study of the conflict in Northern Ireland from 1967-1973 shows strong ties between weak and unjust social and political structures and the escalation of the conflict from civil protest to armed conflict. Not only is it plausible that had structural reforms been implemented conflict in Northem Ireland may have been contained in the political sphere, such action taken by either the Stormont or Westminster governments would have benefited the political goals of all of the parties involved in the conflict.
Rights
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Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44637
Recommended Citation
O'Neill, Loreene N., "Structural Conflict Prevention: Examining Well-Being, Justice and Security in Northern Ireland, 1967-1973" (2000). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 7039.