The 'Troubles' of Myths and Symbols: A study of the conflict in Northern Ireland

Abstract: Northern Ireland is a conflict with a long and violent history, which often focuses on the armed struggle of extremist organizations. This thesis instead asks how is the conflict in Northern Ireland kept alive in the lives of ordinary people? The material used comes from books and articles containing interviews and descriptions of the environment and local perceptions. The theory used is the ethno-symbolic approach and especially the combination of ethno-symbolism and symbolic politics presented by Stuart Kaufman, which focuses on myths, fears and opportunity as the necessary preconditions of ethnic war, as well as distinguishing between mass-led and elite-led conflicts. Analyzing Northern Ireland on the basis of this theory highlights the role of myths, symbols, and fears and the way Northern Ireland is scattered with references to these. There are for instance murals dedicated to Bloody Sunday, slogans such as ?Still under Siege?, bonfires where effigies of the pope are burnt and curbstones painted in the colors of the flags of the Irish or British nations. Nothing is innocent, as just about everything is a ?tell? of which side you?re on, even which newspaper you read, or which flowers you like.