32 Counties: The Failure of Partition and the Case for a United Ireland

by Kieran Allen

'This is Irish history seen anew, from below, bristling with practical lessons for working-class struggle today' - Eamonn McCann

The 32 counties of Ireland were divided through imperial terror and gerrymandering. Partition was borne from a Tory strategy to defend the British Empire and has spawned a 'carnival of reaction' in Irish politics ever since. Over the last 100 years, conservative forces have dominated both states offering religious identity as a diversion from economic failures and inequality.

Through a sharp analysis of the history of partition, Kieran Allen rejects the view that the 'two cultures' of Catholic and Protestant communities lock people into permanent antagonism. Instead, the sectarian states have kept its citizens divided through political and economic measures like austerity, competition for reduced services and low wages.

Overturning conventional narratives, 32 Counties evokes the tradition of James Connolly and calls for an Irish unity movement from below to forge the North and the Republic into a secular, socialist and united Ireland.

Genres: Ireland, Nonfiction, History, Politics

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2021

Reviews

[EunSeong · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. The author was clearly an expert in his field, and knew in-depth the politics and history of the political parties and the region, with analyses of the dynamics between the Republic of Ireland, NI, the EU and Westminster. However, the writing itself lacked structure or any sort of narrative thrust. It felt like a brain dump of everything the author knew of the subject at hand, written in an uncompelling, almost tedious telling of facts. I was not the only person who thought this, and I only finished this book because I was reading it as part of a book club. I also didn't find the content of the book persuasively squaring up to what the title implied. While this is a subject I am very interested in, and was very much looking forward to learning more about the topic, the book itself was slightly disappointing. Overall, it was an okay book.

[Matt Sharland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book and very in depth on the history, causes and results of partition but gets really interesting when making the case for a united Ireland and socialist reforms and structural challenges to achieve this.

Not 100% suitable for a beginner but still an interesting read.

Inspired me to learn about James Connolly which was a great decision

[Mike Witcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frequently insightful, and particularly compelling on British post-Brexit attitudes on Northern Ireland. I would have appreciated some more detail on how Connolly's revolutionary ideas translate in a contemporary context, one of the author's main threads of argument. That's slightly unfair, though, as this is a polemic rather than a manifesto - and a pretty good one, at that.

This probably isn't the best starting point for a newbie (as I was!), but would do well alongside a broader historical introduction to partition. It's certainly useful for generating anger at what's been done by the powers-that-be on both sides of the border throughout the 20th Century.

[Meu · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Actually 3.5)
The book is good. Deals with a massive problem and clearly provides good detail about it.
It has 3 stars because at some points it felt very patronizing towards certain cultures. Also sometimes information is presented as if things were more of a big deal than they are, mostly when he uses quantitative data.

[Ian Pierce-Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that that plots the complexities of Irish history and Britains brutal road to provide an inspiring and clear means to cherish all children equally.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading explaining why and how Ireland would be a successful state if the two parts were reunited.

[Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account the issues around a United Ireland. Covers a lot of ground, including the role of the EU

[Chris Saltmarsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid history with obviously partisan perspective that often gets in the way of analysis