Author Description
A growing band of historians, political commentators, and cultural critics has sought to analyse Ireland's past and present in colonial terms. For some, including Irish Republicans, it is the only proper framework for understanding Ireland. Others reject the very use of the colonial label for Ireland's history; while using the term for the present arouses outrage, especially amongst Ulster Unionists. This book evaluates and analuses these controversies, ranging from debates over the ancient and medieval past to those in current literary and postcolonial theory. Scholarly, at times polemical, it is the most comprehensive study of these themes ever to appear, and will undoubtedly stimulate discussion for years to come.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates whether the colonial framework is a valid or accurate lens through which to interpret Irish history and contemporary culture. Stephen Howe, a scholar of imperial history, evaluates the competing arguments surrounding the application of postcolonial theory to Ireland. He examines the political and academic motivations behind these debates, contrasting the perspectives of Irish Republicans, Ulster Unionists, and various cultural critics to determine the utility of the colonial label.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of Irish history from the medieval period to the modern era
- Examination of postcolonial theory as applied to Western European contexts
- Review of political discourse regarding Irish identity and sovereignty
- Critique of literary and historical narratives concerning the British Empire
Scope Limits
- Does not provide a definitive resolution to the political conflicts mentioned
- Does not focus on personal biographies or individual life stories
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this work as a rigorous and balanced examination of a highly contentious historiographical debate. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational text for those studying the intersection of Irish history and imperial studies.
Page Count:
352
Publication Date:
2000-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191543101
ISBN-13:
9780191543104
History
Imperialism
Public opinion
Ireland
Irish History
European History