For and against a united Ireland

The prospect of Irish unification is now stronger than at any point since partition in 1921. Voters on both sides of the Irish border may soon have to confront for themselves what the answer to a referendum question would mean - for themselves, for their neighbours, and for their society.



Journalists Fintan O'Toole and Sam McBride examine the strongest arguments for and against a united Ireland. What do the words 'united Ireland' even mean? Would it be better for Northern Ireland? Would it improve lives in the Republic of Ireland? And could it be brought about without bloodshed?



O'Toole and McBride each argue the case for and against unity, questioning received wisdom and bringing fresh thinking to one of Ireland's most intractable questions.



- Introduction

1. The case against a united Ireland — 1

FINTAN O'TOOLE

2. The case for a united Ireland — 33

SAM McBRIDE

3. The case for a united Ireland — 73

FINTAN O'TOOLE

4. The case against a united Ireland — 109

SAM McBRIDE

- Postscript 149

- Endnotes 155

- Further reading 167

- Acknowledgements 169

- Index 171



'I would make this balanced and scrupulous treatment of the great existential issue of this island required reading for every Irish and Northern Irish sixth year school student and first year undergraduate (and their parents).'



'The genius of For and against a united Ireland lies in the simple geometry of forcing each author to look at the question from a view obverse to those traditionally held by the societies from which they've emerged: it's a luxury rarely afforded in Irish discourse.'



'I thought I knew a lot about this topic, but I found the book packed with facts and analyses about Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic that were new to me.'



'A major and unique contribution …The book illuminates the mindsets of the nationalist and unionist traditions more effectively than many passionate representatives of those traditions have ever achieved … Remarkably and fittingly, unionists and nationalists, northerners and southerners, will find themselves united in recommending this book.'



'I'd say to anybody: Definitely buy this book ... unionists need to read this book.'



'Well-informed and readable...essential reading.'



'O'Toole and McBride set out to demonstrate a core principle of liberal democracy: that free and reasoned deliberation can help ensure good quality, consensual outcomes … With intelligence and rigour, they have each made historically significant interventions as journalists and authors.'