ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights and reviews the language of unionism and nationalism and examines their proposals for political progress and new constitutional structures. A feature which links the unionist parties is the emphasis on the internal dimension as being a precursor to, and having a role in setting limits to the form and powers of any future ‘strand 2’ institutions. Unionists wish political and institutional developments to reflect the integrity and legitimacy of Northern Ireland while nationalists believe an internal solution is not tenable. Hence broad ideological positions are reflected in the degree of emphasis placed on the internal dimension. With respect to representational patterns, much media attention has focused upon the Progressive Unionist Party and Ulster Democratic Party as embodying encouraging developments within unionism. The gap between unionist and nationalist perceptions can also be viewed through the prism of ‘parity of esteem’.
