Diversity, division and the middle ground in Northern Ireland

Abstract

The Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland are highly differentiated internally. Many see in these internal differences the hope for an expanded political middle ground. The potential for middle ground politics has, however, been overstated. Intracommunal differences are counterbalanced by forces making for intracommunal cohesion and intercommunal division. Strengthening the middle ground will require more radical measures than have yet been attempted.