
The Long March
The Political Strategy of Sinn Fein, 1981-2007
Palgrave Macmillan (Publisher)
Published on 14. January 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
254 pages
978-1-349-58578-6 (ISBN)
Description
Sinn Féin has undergone a startling transformation in the last two-and-a-half decades. Under the leadership of its two principal figures Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness the mainstream party of Irish republicanism has changed beyond almost all recognition. It has moved from the margins of political life, on both sides of the Irish border, to a position where it occupies the Deputy First Minister's chair in Northern Ireland and was viewed, until recently, as the coming force in southern Irish politics. In this book, the contours of Sinn Féin's recent evolution are considered, with particular emphasis on the various strategic objectives that the party has set itself. Sinn Féin's attitude to the Northern Irish peace process is considered at length here and the book challenges the 'conventional wisdom' that would juxtapose republican 'politics' and republican 'war' the notion being that, during the 1990s, republicans exchanged the latter for the former and were, therefore, 'tamed' into becoming a 'normal' political party. The central argument here is that such a view rests on a false dichotomy. It has been said that 'war is merely the continuation of politics'; with respect to Sinn Féin, it is argued, the inverse formulation needs also to be considered, with republican politics seen, by republicans themselves, as an extension of the war. In following through this line of argument, this book attempts to consider republicans on their own terms; to take their thoughts and words 'seriously' and to examine their recent history accordingly.
More details
Edition
2009 ed.
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
Bibliography
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-349-58578-6 (9781349585786)
DOI
10.1007/978-0-230-59471-5
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
11/2008
Palgrave Macmillan
€53.49
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Content
Introduction Building the Political Party and 'Republicanisation', 1981-1985 Pan-Nationalism, Peace and the Political Mainstream, 1985-90 Towards Negotiation and the 'Tactical Use of Armed Struggle', 1990-97 Confronting Unionism, Negotiation and Agreement, 1997-2001 Sinn Féin Centre Stage, The Search for Political Growth, 2001-2004 Reversal, Recovery and Divergence, 2004-2007 Conclusion