From Colonialism To Power Sharing

As a legacy of British colonialism, Northern Ireland issue is related to a series of problems such as nationalism, religion, politics, culture and social identity. All previous British governments had been immersed in this issue for quite long time. The international society also regarded it as a tough knot which was hard to settled. In 1998, however,with the signing of'Belfast Agreement', the first peaceful light appeared in Northern Ireland. Among all the factors which lead to the peaceful solution, British policy transformation on Northern Ireland played a very important role.Historically,British policy towards Northern Ireland experienced three different phases. The first phase is called period of'Stormont'government (1921 - 1970), in which the British government basically took a pro-unionist policy. The second phase started from the end of the Civil Rights Movement in 70's last Century(1970-1980), in this period Britain gradually adjusted its policy orientation from its original inactive nonintervention to a more initiative peace process. In the last period (since1980-) the British government carried out a more pragmatic policy on Northern Ireland, which underlined negotiation and compromise and finally push this issue to the track of peaceful resolution.This thesis aims to analyze British policy transformation which is from colonialism to power sharing mechanism on Northern Ireland through the historical view,and tries to point out that the right policy shifting is the key factor for the successful peace process of Northern Ireland. Besides,the demand of domestic security and international image both drive the British government to adjust its policy toward Northern Ireland. And the peaceful solution of Northern Ireland issue also provides an instructive way for those countries which has religious or national problems worldwide.