War by other means: The problem of political control in Irish Republican strategy

This article examines the interaction between the Irish political party, Si nn Fein, and the paramilitary group known as the Irish Republican Army (IRA ). It argues that the relationship between Sinn Fein and the IRA turns the conventional Clausewitzian understanding of political control of the milita ry on its head. Rather, in the Irish republican movement the military has h ad the dominant role in devising military and political strategy and Sinn F ein's role has been to support the movement's military campaign. The articl e traces the stresses that this relationship has had on the political devel opment of militant Irish republicanism from its modern emergence in 1916, a nd then examines the consequences these have for the future of Irish republ icanism and the peace process in Northern Ireland.