American Policy and Northern Ireland: A Saga of Peacebuilding

by Joseph E. Thompson

Overview

Thompson examines the U.S. role—both governmental and that of Irish-Americans—in attempting to bring a resolution to the strife in Northern Ireland. He concentrates on the efforts since 1967, particularly the growth of American efforts to become the central humanitarian player in the peace process.

The U.S. government stance was initially one of strict non-involvement. However, in the aftermath of Vietnam and Watergate, diminished White House authority encouraged Irish-American groups to challenge the traditional Irish policy. Movement away from strict non-involvement began with Congressional concern for the rising specter of Irish-American anger at the treatment of northern Irish Catholics. An important transition to humanitarian policy occurred during the Reagan Administration. Contributing factors that helped the U.S. government take a new direction in foreign policy were America's failure to respond to the escalation of Northern Ireland violence, a strong personal ethnic tie between the U.S. President and Speaker of the House O'Neill, a personal link between President Reagan and Prime Minister Thatcher, and intense lobbying by Irish-Americans and the Irish government. After a brief period of silent diplomacy during the Bush administration, the Clinton administration succeeded in a public blitz to endorse steps necessary to bring peace closer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275965174
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	03/30/2001
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

JOSEPH E. THOMPSON is Associate Professor of Political Science at Villanova University. Professor Thompson has been deeply involved in the study of Northern Ireland for many years and has written extensively on the topic.

Table of Contents

Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
Irish in America
Policy of Least Resistance: the Nixon Years (1969-Aug. 74)
Awakening the Giant: the Ford Years (Aug. 1974-76)
Humanitarian Touchstone: the Carter Years (1977-80)
New Policy Direction: First Reagan Administration (1981-1984)
Policy of Accommodation: Second Reagan Administration (1985-88)
Commitment to Continuity: the Bush Years (1989-92)
Peace Process: First Clinton (1993-96)
Brinkmanship: Second Clinton Administration (1997-2000)
Epilogue
Appendix
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Thompson draws on his personal experiences as an American who has lived in Northern Ireland and has spent 30 years studying the conflicts there. He was prompted to write this book by dramatic changes in U.S. involvement in Northern Ireland during the Clinton Administration. After exploring Irish-American connections among the early generations of Irish immigrants to the U.S., he looks at the evolution of these connections and then devotes several chapters to an analysis of presidential decision making and U.S. policy toward Northern Ireland from 1968-1998. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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