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<p>Understanding the roles played by the constituents to the Northern Ireland conflict is important and relevant  for three reasons. First, an analysis of the factors contributing to a cessation of hostilities in Northern Ireland provides  vital insights into the manner in which armed insurrections can be brought to an end. Secondly, as the US finds itself  increasingly involved in the quagmire of sectarian conflict and attempts to put together governments representative of  all major elements of indigenous proportions in both Afghanistan and Iraq, a study of past attempts by a liberal  democratic government to create a representative power-sharing government which crossed the sectarian divide is  particularly apt. Finally, the success of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) seems predicated on the acceptance of  democratic principles by the IRA via its political wing, Sinn Fein and the acquiescence of the Unionist population to a  power-sharing arrangement which includes representation from the Republican constituency. Neither position  appears to have been sufficiently present in previous attempts at power-sharing. While the long-term viability of  power-sharing in the province remains in question, a return to violence has not occurred. Such factors may be critical  elements in bridging the sectarian divide not only within the context of Northern Ireland, but when resolving  terrorist/insurgent campaigns throughout the world.
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<br>Subjects: Civil defense; United States; Democracy; Political science; Terrorism; Nationalism</div>
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Rooney, Michael J.</div>
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