Unionisms in Times of Change: Brexit, Britain and the Balkans

Unions and unionism offer an alternative form of politics to nation-states and nationalisms, allowing a wider variety of relations between peoples. However, they can also be power-centred, using the resources of the polity to resist assertion by their members. Unionisms in Times of Change: Brexit, Britain, and the Balkans explores these two faces of unionisms, particularly in the context of British exit from the European Union, creating new dilemmas and options for unionisms in Northern Ireland.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Unions and unionism hold significant importance as they present an alternative framework for politics distinct from the nation-states and nationalisms. By fostering a broader range of relations among diverse peoples, they offer potential avenues for resolving territorial disputes. However, unionisms, often rooted in state- or polity-centered perspectives, tend to prioritize power, employing the resources of the polity to resist the assertions of their members. This can lead to the transformation of democratic challenges into secessionist movements.

Unionisms in Times of Change: Brexit, Britain, and the Balkans delves into these two facets of unionism: the adaptable alternative to the nation-state and the assertor of central power. This book emerges as particularly pertinent in the aftermath of the British exit from the European Union, presenting new dilemmas and opportunities for unionism in Northern Ireland. The chapters within this volume explore the conceptual framework of unionism, examining how unions are defined, defended, and negotiated in various regions such as Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the Balkans, and Moldova. They also examine how unions respond to challenges, conflicts, and changes, exploring the prospects for negotiation, the oscillation between flexibility and accommodation, and the potential for agreement and conflict resolution.

The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the Irish Political Studies, contributing to the ongoing discourse on unionism and its evolution in a changing global landscape.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032043760