Paper Summary:

The purpose of this paper is to try to analyze the sociological aspects of the conflict between the Irish Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. The paper uses an application of the three major theoretical perspectives, functional, conflict and intertactionist and two midrange theories, power differential and internal colonialism to try to shed some light on the possible instigations and reveal some possible solutions. The paper evaluates not only the history of this conflict but what is currently being done to try and resolve it.

Outline:
Functional Theory
Conflict Theory
Interactionist Theory
Middle Range Theories

From the Paper:

"In Northern Ireland, as opposed to Southern Ireland or "The Republic of Ireland", Catholicism is the minority. Part of the reason for this minority of Catholics and of the constant conflict throughout Ireland dates all the way back to decisions made by Elizabeth I of England, or the start of the conflict can even date back farther to Henry II who gained permission from the Pope to invade Ireland. Either way it can safely be said that the problems between the Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland are very old. The decision of Elizabeth I to place her "plantation owners" of loyal Anglican faith (now Protestant) called the "Church of Ireland" in Northern Ireland still has vast repercussions today. She put them there to begin her idea of an invasion by attrition and subjected the native Catholic Irish to slavery and poverty. The conflict began and has never ceased. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• 1. Gassman, Michele, Northern Ireland Still Troubled, Report from the Peace Council, October, 2002. Page Published: 10/15/2002 - Page Last Modified: Thursday, March 18, 2004,(c)2003 International Committee for the Peace Council http://www.peacecouncil.org/gassmanarticle.html
• 2. Why is Ireland divided? Last Update June 15 2004 @ 00:23 AM http://www.faqs.org/faqs/cultures/irish-faq/part05/section-1.html
• 3. How did the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland start? Last Update June 15 2004 @ 00:23 AM http://www.faqs.org/faqs/cultures/irish-faq/part05/section-2.html
• 4. Desmond's Concise History of Ireland http://members.tripod.com/~JerryDesmond/index-2.html
• 5. US Department of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, December 2005 http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3180.htm

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