The new politics of Sinn Fein, 1985-2006

Sinn F?in (“ourselves” or “we ourselves”) began innocuously enough, at least in etymology, when founder Arthur Griffith asked the publishers of an Oldcastle paper if he might use their name for a new political party that he was setting up. Since that 1905 founding, however, and through its journey from revolutionary movement to potential political partner in the state it was pledged to destroy, the modern political meaning of Sinn F?in reflects a contradictory and tension-heavy history of Irish republicanism. The New Politics of Sinn F?in is a powerful and revealing assessment of the ideological and organizational development of provisional republicanism since 1985. The first half of the volume chronicles the processes of change that transformed the republican movement from its revolutionary origins to its current role as a civic and legislative power, while the second half explores the ideological implications of this transition. Arguing that the political movement remains a site of contestation between elements of the universal and the particular, Kevin Bean looks especially to the tensions between civic and ethnic conceptions of identity and the nation as a way to define Sinn F?in in its current incarnation—making this an essential volume for anyone concerned with the contemporary state of Irish politics. Sinn Féin (“ourselves” or “we ourselves”) began innocuously enough, at least in etymology, when founder Arthur Griffith asked the publishers of an Oldcastle paper if he might use their name for a new political party that he was setting up. Since that 1905 founding, however, and through its journey from revolutionary movement to potential political partner in the state it was pledged to destroy, the modern political meaning of Sinn Féin reflects a contradictory and tension-heavy history of Irish republicanism. The New Politics of Sinn Féin is a powerful and revealing assessment of the ideological and organizational development of provisional republicanism since 1985. The first half of the volume chronicles the processes of change that transformed the republican movement from its revolutionary origins to its current role as a civic and legislative power, while the second half explores the ideological implications of this transition. Arguing that the political movement remains a site of contestation between elements of the universal and the particular, Kevin Bean looks especially to the tensions between civic and ethnic conceptions of identity and the nation as a way to define Sinn Féin in its current incarnation—making this an essential volume for anyone concerned with the contemporary state of Irish politics. "The New Politics of Sinn Fein is a path-breaking and stimulating assessment of the ideological and organizational development that marked Provisional republicanism in the period after 1985. Kevin Bean explores how the Republican movement was transformed from an anti-state insurgency to a potential partner in governing the state it was formerly pledged to destroy. In particular, he considers the origins of what has become known as 'New Sinn Fein' and the relative significance of a number of factors: the management of the process of 'normalization', overseen by the British and Irish premiers; the political light-footedness of the Republican leadership in extricating themselves from the historical commitment to armed revolution; and the ongoing pragmatic engagement of the Provisional movement with the apparatus of state social and economic intervention in the nationalist community. Drawing on primary documents and interviews with key actors, the result is a rounded and comprehensive account of an apparently extraordinary political metamorphosis."--BOOK JACKET This Book Is An Assessment Of The Ideological And Organizational Development Of Provisional Republicanism Since 1985. It Explores How The Republican Movement Has Changed From An Anti-state Insurgency To A Potential Partner In Governing The State It Was Pledged To Destroy, And, In Particular, Attempts To Consider The Origins Of What Has Become Known As `new Sinn Féin'. Part I. Defining The Community -- 1. Shaping The Terrain: Economy, State And Civil Society -- 2. From Resistance Community To Community Politics -- 3. 'they Haven't Gone Away, You Know': The Withering Away Of The 'provisional State'? -- Part Ii. The Historic Compromise? -- 4. The Ideological Origins Of New Sinn Fein -- 5. On The Long Road: The Provisional Politics Of Transition -- 6. The Historic Compromise? -- Conclusion: The End Of A Song? Kevin Bean. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [265]-284) And Index. The New Politics of Sinn Féin is an assessment of the ideological and organizational development of Provisional republicanism since 1985. The book explores how the Republican movement has changed from an anti-state insurgency to a potential partner in governing the state it was pledged to destroy. In particular, the book attempts to consider the origins of what has become known as 'New Sinn Féin' This book is an assessment of the ideological and organizational development of Provisional republicanism since 1985. It explores how the Republican movement has changed from an anti-state insurgency to a potential partner in governing the state it was pledged to destroy, and, in particular, attempts to consider the origins of what has become known as Ǹew Sinn Féin' An assessment of the ideological and organizational development of Provisional republicanism since 1985. This book explores how the Republican movement has changed from an anti-state insurgency to a potential partner in governing the state it was pledged to destroy. It attempts to consider the origins of what has become known as 'New Sinn Fein'.