A lot will be made of the Sinn Féin performance in the general election. Nationalists are likely to herald it as stepping stone on the way to a United Ireland and Unionists may well perceive it similarly. The result is likely to create further political discord however it need not be viewed so negatively.
Political discourse in the Republic of Ireland has done little to understand Unionism over the years. While developing the necessary machinations of a fully functioning sovereign state, all-Ireland nationalism receded into rhetoric and little constructive work was done to consider how stated aspirations and actuality might meet.
Enter Sinn Fein as a now significant all-Ireland party that have the seldom applauded ability to work with the Protestant and Unionist Community in Ireland. This day to day experience cannot but generate an improved understanding of what is realistic and desirable for the Island of Ireland and an appreciation of the fallout of pushing too hard in any one direction.
How far this understanding will go remains to be seen, but it cannot but help political reconciliation if Unionists and Nationalists are able to discuss these issues with people they know rather than the barbarians at the gate.
Political discourse in the Republic of Ireland has done little to understand Unionism over the years. While developing the necessary machinations of a fully functioning sovereign state, all-Ireland nationalism receded into rhetoric and little constructive work was done to consider how stated aspirations and actuality might meet.
Enter Sinn Fein as a now significant all-Ireland party that have the seldom applauded ability to work with the Protestant and Unionist Community in Ireland. This day to day experience cannot but generate an improved understanding of what is realistic and desirable for the Island of Ireland and an appreciation of the fallout of pushing too hard in any one direction.
How far this understanding will go remains to be seen, but it cannot but help political reconciliation if Unionists and Nationalists are able to discuss these issues with people they know rather than the barbarians at the gate.
No comments:
Post a Comment