Unfinished business: The politics of 'dissident' Irish republicanism

by Marisa McGlinchey

This book discusses the development of 'dissident' Irish republicanism and considers its impact on politics throughout Ireland since the 1980s. Based on a series of interviews with over ninety radical republican activists from the wide range of groups and currents which make up 'dissident' republicanism, the book provides an up-to-date assessment of the political significance and potential of the groups who continue to oppose the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. It shows that the 'dissidents' are much more than traditionalist irreconcilables left behind by Gerry Adams' entry into the mainstream. Instead the book suggests that the dynamics and trajectory of 'dissident' republicanism are shaped more by contemporary forces than historical tradition and that by understanding the "dissidents" we can better understand the emerging forms of political challenge in an age of austerity and increasing political instability internationally.

Genres: Ireland, History, Nonfiction, Politics, Irish Literature

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2019

Reviews

[Joe O'Donnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since the murder of Lyra McKee in 2019, there has been a renewed focus on the various organisations that comprise the world of dissident republicanism. We have seen greater reportage on groups such as RSF/Continuity IRA, Saoradh, and 32CSM/Real IRA; on who they are exactly, what beliefs they espouse, and whether they have any chance of achieving their goals of British withdrawal from Northern Ireland. “Unfinished Business” is Marisa McGlinchey’s in-depth and thorough attempt to provide a more nuanced picture of dissident republicanism (or, as they prefer to refer to themselves, radical republicans) than is usually presented in the mainstream media.

“Unfinished Business” sets out to provide an overview of the highly fractured landscape of radical republicanism. This is a paranoid and insular world, on constant alert for infiltration by the security forces, fragmented into internecine splinter groups from the absurdly absolutist RSF to the militantly anti-austerity Éirígí. Through a string of interviews with representatives of the various organisations, McGlinchey uncovers the key ideological themes and common beliefs behind radical republicanism. These variously include a conviction that Provisional Sinn Féin have betrayed republicanism through their acceptance of the Good Friday Agreement, a rejection of the centralising-bordering-on-authoritarian internal culture of that movement (which so many of the dissidents have split from), and a belief that electoral politics and democratic mandates are irrelevant when it comes to the legitimacy of armed struggle. These groups vehemently reject the term ‘dissident’ as a form of vilification by the political mainstream, claiming it is Sinn Féin who are the real dissidents having deviated so sharply from doctrinaire republicanism during the two decades since the Belfast Agreement.

“Unfinished Business” is the outgrowth of Marisa McGlinchey’s PhD thesis on the topic of dissident republicanism and - on occasions - it shows, as it can be a dense and overly academic read. Yet McGlinchey has done herculean work in getting so many militant republicans to talk to her in such detail, particularly as they are not a group of people known for their friendliness with the media or their propensity to give expansive interviews.

Marisa McGlinchey shows the surprising diversity of thought within dissident republicanism, and the book commendably moves far beyond the standard one-dimensional portrayal of such hard-line organisations. If “Unfinished Business” may not necessarily evoke strong sympathy for radical republicans, it does at the very least evoke greater understanding of them.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is essentially "How dissident republicans view themselves" as the majority of it is based on quotes from dissidents. Unfortunately there is no criticism or analysis of the movements, instead we are just given the dissident point of view at face value. There is also surprisingly little about the actual activities of the dissidents, the fact these groups have killed people is only briefly mentioned. The overall style is academic (though relatively readable) and I doubt how appealing it would be to people who have not studied politics in university.

[Sirana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Includes a lot of infos on dissident republicans that you get nowhere else, but relies overly much on the self-presentation of the various fractions which in my opinion is of limited use when analyzing physical force republicanism. Also dives much too deeply into the (often times extremely obscure) differences of policital theory that exist between the groups and not enough into personal connections and conflicts of the relevant players. Still, these groups are likely to become more important in the coming years, so the book is highly relevant.

[Jon Peder Grønsveen Opsahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an academic work and it wasn't necessarily what I was looking for. It is a deep dive into current day Irish republicanism, but it is at times pretty dry. If you are studying Northern Ireland as a topic you'll probably get alot from this book, but if you are looking for a more casual read or introduction to the situation then you're better of reading another book.

[Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really detailed and impressive book. The personal interviews with the many dissidents in the book prove very thought provoking. Really well researched book

[Redspud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book by a great young academic. Counters and in fact disproves the false narrative carried by British and free state media.

[Patrick Taggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well put together and presented, no major bias or anything like that. Great work all round