Postcolonialism in Northern Ireland Examining the history of Northern Ireland and Sinn Féin's abstention policy through a postcolonial lens
Author
Hunter, Steen Daniel
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2021
Pages
43
Abstract
This thesis examines how political relations between Stormont (Northern Ireland’s devolved legislature) and Westminster (the UK Parliament) have been shaped historically and how they work today. It also considers contemporary views about Northern Irish politicians and the influence they wield. A central part of the study is a discourse analysis of the history and current practice of Sinn Féin’s policy of abstention (not taking their seats at Westminster). The project uses an interpretivist approach, focusing on how meanings and power are constructed, and draws on postcolonial theory to read this history. It applies concepts from Homi K. Bhabha—ambivalence (mixed or conflicting positions), mimicry (adopting features of the dominant power while subtly altering them), and 'sly civility' (polite compliance that can undermine authority). The thesis concludes that postcolonial theory offers a distinctive way to understand abstention, especially through 'sly civility', which highlights how actors within a colonial relationship can use officially sanctioned channels to pursue their own goals and resist control. At the same time, it argues that Bhabha’s concepts are better suited to cultural and literary analysis; for more direct analysis of political institutions and power, critical frameworks associated with Foucault and Gramsci are a better fit. Looking ahead through three possible future scenarios, the thesis suggests that relations between the UK and Northern Ireland could improve if Northern Ireland gains greater influence at Westminster.
Afhandlingen undersøger, hvordan de politiske relationer mellem Stormont (Nordirlands regionale parlament) og Westminster (Det britiske parlament) historisk er blevet formet, og hvordan de fungerer i dag. Den ser også på nutidige opfattelser af nordirske politikere og den indflydelse, de har. Et centralt element er en diskursanalyse af historien og den aktuelle anvendelse af Sinn Féins afståelsespolitik (ikke at tage deres sæder i Westminster). Projektet anvender en interpretivistisk tilgang, der fokuserer på, hvordan betydning og magt bliver skabt, og bruger postkolonial teori til at læse denne historie. Det anvender begreber fra Homi K. Bhabha—ambivalens (blandede eller modstridende positioner), mimikry (at efterligne den dominerende magt, men ændre den subtilt) og 'sly civility' (høflig tilpasning, der kan underminere autoritet). Afhandlingen konkluderer, at postkolonial teori giver en anderledes måde at forstå afståelsen på, især gennem 'sly civility', som fremhæver, hvordan aktører i en kolonial relation kan bruge legitimerede kanaler til at forfølge egne mål og yde modstand. Samtidig argumenterer den for, at Bhabhas begreber passer bedre til kultur- og litteraturanalyse; til mere direkte analyse af politiske institutioner og magtforhold er kritiske teorier forbundet med Foucault og Gramsci mere velegnede. Med udblik via tre mulige fremtidsscenarier foreslår afhandlingen, at relationerne mellem Storbritannien og Nordirland kan forbedres, hvis Nordirland får større indflydelse i Westminster.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
Keywords