ABSTRACT
Northern Ireland had a major peace accord in 1998. This accord and the peace process that enabled it has ended most political violence and resulted in significant improvements in life quality for many. Yet, Northern Ireland remains a deeply divided society. This chapter considers the balance between function and dysfunction in relation to functional coexistence. By emphasizing the sociological or everyday aspects of functional coexistence, the chapter is able to further interrogate the issue of livability in conflict-affected contexts and the extent to which livability impacts conflict longevity. The chapter argues that Northern Ireland is a site of both functionality and dysfunctionality, and this balance between the two means that the polity and society are “stuck” in a conflict holding pattern.
