The search for identity in the face of diversity: the case of the Protestant 'Loyalist' community of Northern Ireland

Abstract

Historically, the Protestant 'Loyalist' community has resisted any attempts to bring about social and political change. The 'traditional' enemy of their community was represented by the Republican Movement in Northern Ireland, this enemy had to be contained both politically and militarily. Since the advent of the latest phase of the conflict in 1969, the 'Loyalist' has perceived their traditional 'dominant' postion to have been eroded. In the aftermath of the paramilitary ceasefires the 'Republican' threat has been replaced, in the minds of the Loyalist community, by the influx of migrant workers and 'political asylum seekers'. While Northern Ireland society welcomes and benefits from the growing diversity, the Loyalist sees this as another threat to be resisted. Often this 'resistance' is through the continuation of violence and conflict. The paper will examine the 'reality' from a community persepective that sees itself as undersiege and in search for it's identity in a 'new' Northern Ireland.

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