The European Union: Encouraging cooperation in Northern Ireland?

• Main Author: Oxendine, Alina Renee
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-1997
• Subjects: International law; International relations
• ISBN: 0591511568; 9780591511567

This thesis "The European Union: Encouraging Cooperation in Northern Ireland?" evaluates the impact of European integration on relations between actors involved in the Northern Ireland conflict. Evidence and logic concede that European integration impacts incentive and interest structures that decision-makers face. Patterns in the behavior of Members of the European Parliament--exclusively representatives from Northern Ireland, Great Britain, and the Republic of Ireland--during the last two decades reveal a general increase in cooperation between them over time, uncover abrupt cooperative increases at periods of significant integrative breakthroughs, and indicate that the character of cooperation between the Northern Ireland actors seems to be deepening. What can be inferred about the effects of the European Union on the Northern Ireland conflict based on the behavior of European Parliament members? The interaction of Northern Irish, British, and Irish representatives in the European Parliament can itself influence the dynamics of the domestic conflict. Also, the members can be viewed as representatives of the interests and viewpoints of their respective nation-states and constituents. Thus, evidence of cooperation between Northern Ireland actors in the European Parliament indicates that the European Union has helped and probably will continue help to ease the struggle in Northern Ireland. Even though after twenty years of European integration the Northern Ireland conflict persists, it is simply too early to dismiss it as a possible solution to the conflict.