Essential text for a 1 term/semester undergraduate course on Northern Ireland (usually a 2nd year option).  Combines coverage of the historical context of the situation in Northern Ireland with a thorough examination of the contemporary political situation and the peace process. The book explores the issues behind the longevity of the conflict and provides a detailed analysis of the attempts to create a lasting peace in Northern Ireland.

This is an update of the popular and successful book offering a comprehensive and balanced examination of both the history of the 'Troubles'; the peace process and contemporary political situation. Features:

• Good Friday Agreement and the 'yes' votes in referendums
• new political institutions in Northern Ireland
• party system: ethnic politics or gradual thawing?
• new climate of peace: paramilitary ceasefires; cross-community co-operation; economic boom
• imperfections of the peace; the Real IRA and the Omagh atrocity; loyalist dissident paramilitary groups
• extent of change in republicanism; from revolutionaries to state participants
• slow emergence of new unionism
• problem of weapons decommissioning
• changes in policing
• persistence of sectarianism

The author places these events within an overall assessment of the extent of change in Northern Ireland politics and society. The book deals with the historical conflict in Northern Ireland and relates this to recent political agreements.

Jonathan Tonge is Professor of Politics and Director of the Centre for Irish Studies at the University of Salford.