Under Which Constitutional Arrangement Would You Still Prefer to be Unemployed? Neoliberalism, the Peace Process, and the Politics of Class in Northern Ireland

Social work for critical peace: a comparative approach to understanding social work and political conflict

“…Despite the peace process, and the role of national and international governments in managing the conflict, Northern Ireland remains as divided as ever with segregated educational and political and social systems (Shirlow and Murtagh, 2006). It has been argued that optimism about the peace process has been undermined by success governments' commitment to neo-liberal economic policies (Coulter, 2014) that failed to address the root causes of the conflict. Yet there are stirring of and for change, with a growing and vibrant gay, lesbian and transgender communities and increased numbers of minority ethnic groups.…”

Social Immobility, Ethno-politics, and Sectarian Violence: Obstacles to Post-conflict Reconstruction in Northern Ireland

“…In contrast to the relatively "safe" cosmopolitan urban spaces, to disclose your identity as a Catholic in most working-class neighborhoods of east Belfast, for example, still carries with it a significant risk of being harassed or even attacked, as would a Protestant openly revealing his or her identity in the republican working-class strongholds of west Belfast -the second poorest district of the UK (Coulter 2014). In such contexts, "old" rules of silence and suspicion still guide everyday interaction.…”

Discourses of Political Policing in Post-patten Northern Ireland

“…The GFA was sold to war-weary communities through a neoliberal 'conspiracy of hope' that tied peace to prosperity through multinational capitalism, foreign investment and the free market (Coulter 2014). Despite the promise of a 'peace dividend', continuing structural exclusion means that 'the very same districts that suffered the brunt of violence from 1969 onwards remain at the bottom in poverty, unemployment and social deprivation' (Kelly 2012).…”