| Description |
xxvii, 265 pages ; 24 cm |
| Contents |
Introduction - developing a strategic approach to the Irish republican movement -- 1. The Irish republican military mind - the evolution of a strategic tradition -- 2. Transitions in Irish republican strategy - the development of the military instrument from the Easter rising to the civil war -- 3. Political control versus the autonomous military instrument - Irish republican strategy from the civil war to the 1970s -- 4. The military ascendancy - the Provisional IRA on the offensive, 1970-1972 -- 5. The erosion of Provisional IRA strategy, 1972-1977 -- 6. The evolution of PIRA's total strategy, 1977-1983 -- 7. A continuing military enigma - the contradictory dynamics of the total strategy, 1983-1990 -- 8. Ending the isolation? Ending the violence? |
| Summary |
M.L.R. Smith challenges many assumptions about the IRA, pinpointing the organisation's successes as well as its missed opportunities. He demonstrates the tension in the movement between ideology and strategic realities regarding the use of force, revealing that doctrinal purity has sometimes hampered the IRA in the pursuit of its goals. Contrary to the Irish republican movement's vigorous and assertive public face, this study uncovers an organisation characterised more by a sense of chronic insecurity than by certainty and continuity |
| Analysis |
Northern Ireland History, 1969- |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [254]-258) and index |
| Notes |
Print version record |
| Subject |
Irish Republican Army -- History.
|
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Insurgency -- Ireland -- History -- 20th century.
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Political violence -- Ireland -- History -- 20th century.
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Violence -- Ireland -- History -- 20th century.
|
| SUBJECT |
Ireland -- History, Military http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008115507 -- 20th century.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2002012476
|
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Ireland -- History, Military.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2008115507
|
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Northern Ireland http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79055927 -- History, Military http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh00005863 -- 1969-
|
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Northern Ireland http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79055927 -- History, Military.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh00005863
|
| LC no. |
95006524 |
| ISBN |
0415091616 (HB) |
|
041516334X (paperback) |
|
