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The myth of 'the myth of Irish neutrality': deconstructing concepts of Irish neutrality using international relations theories

Devine, Karen (2006) The myth of 'the myth of Irish neutrality': deconstructing concepts of Irish neutrality using international relations theories. Irish Studies in International Affairs, 17 . pp. 115-139. ISSN 2009-0072

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Abstract

A number of academics, journalists and political elites claim that Irish neutrality is a 'myth', and many also characterise public support for Irish neutrality as 'confused' and 'nonrational'. This 'unneutral' discourse in the academic literature and mainstream Irish media is based on an academic thesis, that of an Unneutral Ireland. The Unneutral thesis constructs a particular concept of neutrality in order to draw its conclusion that Ireland is 'unneutral'. Using a poststructuralist approach--a rarity in the discipline of International Relations (IR)--this paper deconstructs concepts of Irish neutrality using a framework of IR theories. The results show that the concept of neutrality put forward in the Unneutral Ireland thesis and the dominant discourses on Irish neutrality are based on a hegemonic IR theory, the theory of neorealism, rather than on seemingly 'objective' scientific research methods. The paper concludes that non-realist theories and approaches may provide a better understanding of Irish neutrality and of the dynamics of public support for Irish neutrality.

Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Irish neutrality;
Subjects:Social Sciences > International relations
Social Sciences > Political science
DCU Faculties and Centres:Research Initiatives and Centres > Centre for International Studies (CIS)
DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Humanities and Social Science > School of Law and Government
Publisher:Royal Irish Academy
Official URL:http://www.ria.ie/publications/journals/journaldb/index.asp?select=abstract&id=100572
Use License:This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License. View License
ID Code:14903
Deposited On:29 Sep 2009 10:08 by DORAS Administrator . Last Modified 19 Jul 2018 14:48

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