Fourthwrite.........
For a socialist republic
Fourthwrite 
........................Issue No. 4
A progressive development is possible
by Paul Bew
This year we are celebrating (or according to taste) execrating the Act of Union of Great Britain and Ireland which is already 200 years old. The Union was deeply flawed right from the start. It was supposed to be accompanied by Catholic Emancipation – full political rights for Catholic Ireland. But this emancipation was delayed for a generation, in fact, and, in the event was only conceded – or so it was perceived – because of fear of a mass revolt in Ireland rather than out of respect for the general justice of the case.
When it looks at this moment in its history, the British ruling class has history, the British ruling class has a certain cause for regret. In a sense, its abashed silence this year about a key development on the foundations of its own state, honestly reflects a genuine uneasiness. On the other hand, those Ulster Unionists – or at any rate the large Presbyterian section – who always supported Catholic emancipation, have no reason to be quite so embarrassed. They, at least, respected the liberal rhetoric, which accompanied the implementation of the Union.
The Agreement of 1998 represents an attempt to give Ireland closure on the poisonous impulses, which flow from this period. Britain no longer acknowledges a selfish strategic interest. In 1800, it openly stated that this was the prime impulse of policy. This time, in principle, a liberal and progressive development of Irish society is a possibility.
Classical Irish republicanism is based on the conviction that this can not occur while the Union lasts but, for the time being at least, the initiative lies with those who are operating the experiment. Will they botch it as they did 200 years ago?
Paul Bew is Professor of Politics at Queens University Belfast
FOURTHWRITE, PO BOX 31, Belfast BT127EE
