What are the main differences between the beliefs of the Republican/Nationalists and the Loyalist/Unionists?

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22 / 09 / 2002

Coursework Assignment 1 – What are the main differences between the beliefs of the Republican/Nationalists and the Loyalist/Unionists?

   In Northern Ireland, there are two main groups of people; Nationalists and Unionists. The Nationalists, also known as Republicans, believe in a united Ireland, independent from Britain, with no power or influence on their country from the Queen or the British Prime Minister. They are basically proud to be Irish. Nevertheless, some more modest Republicans have often chosen to keep Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom. Unionists, or loyalists, however, oppose the nationalist views in many ways, backing a separate Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland, staying loyal to the Queen and United Kingdom and are happy to be known as British citizens. In the unionists’ opinions, the UK is a more powerful force worldwide, and would be in the better interests of Ireland politically, socially and economically. For example, the top jobs, largest wages, and biggest houses are often allocated to the Unionist Protestants because they agree with union to the UK, even though the Catholics greatly outnumber the Protestants in Ireland.

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   Nationalists, who are usually Catholic, outnumber the comparatively scarce Unionists. Two main parties represent the often-varied views of the Republicans; Sinn Fein, led by Gerry Adams, a party dedicated to a United Ireland and The Scottish Democratic Labour Party, a party committed to achieving its aims using non-violent methods.

   Sinn Fein, literally translated as “We, ourselves” has previously used more extreme methods than the SDLP to accomplish its targets, and for many years was banned in the UK, but in recent years the party has become more moderate. Sinn Fein, the political wing of a nationalist paramilitary ...

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