THE BRITISH STATE AND NORTHERN IRELAND CRISIS, 1969-73

From Violence to Power-Sharing
May 2011
Paperback
9781601270672
374 Pages
$22.50
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E-Book
9781601270986
374 Pages
$22.50
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Focusing on four case studies, William Beattie Smith traces the evolution of British policy from 1969–73 and depicts how easily a conflict over national identity can turn into bloodshed, grief, and horror; and how difficult it is to restore peace once a serious fight has started.

An excellent study of a crucial period of British policy towards Northern Ireland. The author has done a very good job in searching the archives and producing a clear and coherent narrative in a detail that has not been matched before. This book is a useful addition to the literature on the Northern Ireland conflict because it is informed by a close understanding of the historical evidence and an acute knowledge of how the British and Irish political system work."

Paul Dixon, Kingston University

William Beattie Smith

William Beattie Smith has extensive practical and academic experience as an author, policy analyst, and professional in government. Based in Belfast, Smith graduated in American Studies from the University of Sussex and earned his doctorate in Political Science from Stanford University. He was a Public Policy Fellow at the Institute for Contemporary Studies in the 1980s. Back in Belfast, he joined the Government of Northern Ireland as an Administration Trainee. Smith spent three years on secondment to the European Commission in Brussels. Following the Belfast Agreement of 1998, Smith served as Principal Private Secretary in the First Ministers’ Office.

Since standing down from Government in 2004, he has held a number of public appointments and worked with a range of clients including Executive Ministers, public sector agencies, research institutes, and voluntary organizations.

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