Open AccessThe Role of Political Discourse in Conflict Transformation: Evidence from Northern Ireland
Author(s) -
Katy Hayward
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
peace and conflict studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.116
H-Index - 6
ISSN - 1082-7307
DOI - 10.46743/1082-7307/2008.1085
Subject(s) - conflict transformation , negotiation , politics , political science , facilitation , common ground , resource (disambiguation) , northern ireland , sociology , law , computer science , communication , ethnology , computer network
This article introduces this volume by constructing a model for analysing political discourse as an instrument of conflict and peace, drawing on evidence from the Northern Ireland case. It identifies three processes, or stages, in a peace process in which political discourse can play a unique and crucial role: (i) the construction of a (conceptual) framework within which negotiations can take place, (ii) the facilitation of agreement between moderate and extreme positions, and (iii) the forging of common ground. The motivating thesis of this research is that discourse analysis is a vital resource for deepening our knowledge of why, how and when violence can erupt and peace can be built.