ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors examine the major structural trends in Northern Ireland during this period, drawing attention to communal, class, ideological and political responses to the crisis. They seek to ask whether the changes of the period have been sufficiently far reaching to allow a stable compromise settlement between the communities. The peace process was made possible by a political realignment within Irish nationalism. Once republicans adopted a peaceful strategy, constitutional nationalists, republicans, the Irish state and leading Irish-Americans would make common cause. The political crisis in Northern Ireland had deep structural roots in conditions of communal opposition and inequality. The authors show that how wider socio-economic, cultural and political changes have laid the foundation for the peace process and the Multi-Party Agreement of 10 April 1998, and suggests that the agreement offers major opportunities for progress. However, further political change is necessary to maintain the dynamic of agreement against the strong tendencies to communal conflict.
