Interpretations of political violence in ethnically divided societies

The Limits of Legitimacy: Former Loyalist Combatants and Peace‐Building in Northern Ireland

“…The British state's legitimacy, for example, was continually contested during conflict (Cavanaugh, 1997). For republicans, the state was an illegitimate colonial aggressor (McGarry & O'Leary, 1995).…”

'See No Evil, Hear No Evil'. Insidious Paramilitary Violence in Northern Ireland

“…In an ethnographic study undertaken in loyalist and republican communities in Belfast, Cavanaugh (1997) argued that the main cause of political violence was not materialism (socio-economic inequalities), culture or religion but the absence of national state legitimacy. She claimed that 'the levels of republican violence are most affected by organized and unorganized state repression, while loyalist violence is most affected by republican violence and activated when loyalists feel threatened' (Cavanaugh, 1997: 45).…”

“…Jennings, for example, suggests that paramilitaries are economically motivated and that they will 'devote more time to gangster activity, to recoup their losses from terminating political violence' (Jennings, 1998: 307). Have the paramilitaries alienated their communities by administering 'rough justice', as referred to by Cavanaugh (1997)? Is it the case that 'the same motivations which drive loyalist vigilantism are also behind republican vigilantism'?…”

‘Joined-up’ government: an integrated response to communal violence in Northern Ireland?

“…Cavanaugh (1997) in an ethnographic study undertaken in loyalist and republican communities in Belfast posited the community, not as a passive entity, but integral to the analysis of political violence in Northern Ireland. She suggested civil society in Northern Ireland was characterised by a strong sense of community, ethnic separatism, and a tradition of loyalism and republicanism in both its cultural and political forms.…”