THE POLITICAL-ECONOMY OF A DIVIDED IRELAND

For a peace process in Ireland to succeed it will require an active tr ansition away from the underlying causes of conflict-not just the part ition of the country, but the inequalities of opportunities and employ ment between the communities in Northern Ireland. This requires the re structuring of existing unequal arrangements. If this restructuring is not to be at the expense of the Protestant community, public interven tion will be needed to ensure that opportunities for the Protestant co mmunity can be developed alongside the necessary catching-up of the pr eviously disadvantaged community. Otherwise any type of future transit ion process risks grinding to a halt.