State Violence, Collusion and the Troubles
Counter Insurgency, Government Deviance and Northern Ireland
The period in Northern Ireland known as 'the Troubles' (1968-98) seemed to have been conclusively ended by the official peace process. But recent violence from dissident Republicans shows that tensions from the past remain unresolved.
State Violence, Collusion and the Troubles reveals disturbing unanswered questions about the use of state violence during this period. Maurice Punch documents in chilling detail how the British government turned to desperate, illegal measures in a time of crisis, disregarding domestic and international law. He broadens out his analysis to consider other cases of state violence against ‘insurgent groups’ in Spain and South Africa.
This is the story of how the British state collaborated with violent groups and directly participated in illegal violence. It also raises urgent questions about why states around the world continue to deploy such violence rather than seeking durable political settlements.
State Violence, Collusion and the Troubles reveals disturbing unanswered questions about the use of state violence during this period. Maurice Punch documents in chilling detail how the British government turned to desperate, illegal measures in a time of crisis, disregarding domestic and international law. He broadens out his analysis to consider other cases of state violence against ‘insurgent groups’ in Spain and South Africa.
This is the story of how the British state collaborated with violent groups and directly participated in illegal violence. It also raises urgent questions about why states around the world continue to deploy such violence rather than seeking durable political settlements.
Maurice Punch is Visiting Professor at the Mannheim Centre for Criminology, LSE, and Visiting Professor at the Law School, King's College London. He is the author of Shoot to Kill: Exploring Police Use of Firearms (2010) and Police Corruption: Deviance, Accountability and Reform in Policing (2009).
'Brings to bear a mature, discerning and knowledgeable mind on a vexed area - the results are disquieting, fascinating and provocative' - Paul Rock, Professor of Social Institutions, Mannheim Centre for the Study of Criminology and Criminal Justice, London School of Economics and Political Science
'An insightful and close examination of what Britain did in Northern Ireland used to understand what states do elsewhere when dealing with insurgent violence' - David Bayley, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University at Albany, State University of New York
1. State Crime: ‘Bloody Sunday’ and the Troubles
2. State Terror and Insurgent Terrorism
3. Roots of the Troubles: Emergency Context: Conspiracy?
4. Security Units: Firearms Policy: Rough Justice
5. Dirty Tricks: Intelligence, Informants and Collusion.
6. Investigations, Courts, Inquiries and Whistle-blowing.
7. End Game: State Deviance: Learning from the Past.
References
Index
2. State Terror and Insurgent Terrorism
3. Roots of the Troubles: Emergency Context: Conspiracy?
4. Security Units: Firearms Policy: Rough Justice
5. Dirty Tricks: Intelligence, Informants and Collusion.
6. Investigations, Courts, Inquiries and Whistle-blowing.
7. End Game: State Deviance: Learning from the Past.
References
Index
Published by Pluto Press in Mar 2012
Paperback ISBN: 9780745331478
eBook ISBN: 9781849646383
eBook ISBN: 9781849646383
135mm x 215mm