ABSTRACT
This chapter asks if the absence of violence, a functioning devolved power-sharing government, and a “settled” constitutional agreement constitute a sustainable and quality peace in Northern Ireland. The author explores five variables that may promote and/or frustrate a stable peace: the role of civil society; economic reconstruction; post-agreement security; transitional justice and reconciliation; negotiations; and governance. Careful analysis of these factors in the context of Northern Ireland provide evidence of a dynamic civil society with a strong and growing relationship with the devolved government; some early signs of economic reconstruction adversely affected by the global recession and limited peace dividends in socially deprived areas; a significant decline in violence associated with the security situation, although a mixed picture on public confidence in policing; unresolved and contested policy responses to dealing with the past, alongside improving relations between Catholics and Protestants; and optimism about the political stability of the power-sharing institutions of governance but an unremarkable performance by the Northern Ireland Assembly in policy terms. The author argues that security, negotiations, and governance must rank as the most important constituents in securing quality peace in Northern Ireland. At the same time, people must see the real benefits of a political settlement beyond the absence of violence and political stability, particularly in those socially deprived communities most impacted by the conflict. The author ranks the important factors for peace in Northern Ireland: post-agreement security; negotiations and governance; economic reconstruction; transitional justice and reconciliation; and a strong civil society represent the path toward quality peace in Northern Ireland, acknowledging that this is not a linear or sequential process.
