There
are a number of questions that I seek to raise pertaining
to the political problem facing the Irish people
at this time therefore in sharing them perhaps the
response if any may contribute to a further clarification
at least in my own mind if not in the mind of others.
As
a republican I am influenced by the thought of James
Connolly although I would contrary to his position
change the name of our shared objective i.e. of
a socialist or workers republic to that of a Peoples
Republic. No, I have never been influenced by the
thought of Mao and as for the concept of a Communist
Society I recall arguing with the noted Irish Communist
Roy Johnston at a training camp in Leitrim in the
sixties of the last century that communism was merely
the utopian conception of the socialist objective,
that it was pie in the sky and that we should forget
such utopianism and pursue the placing of the means
of production, distribution and exchange in the
hands of practical democracy- the majority of the
people.
As
one who justifies guerilla warfare and what it entails
as a means to free Ireland from foreign control
and influence I am however open to using all avenues
of possible progress to realizing national liberation
and self determination which is the necessary pre-
requisital basis for a peoples republic. Therefore
those who go down the road of pursuing a free and
self determining Ireland by so called peaceful means
must be acknowledged and encouraged for they may
possess the key to laying to rest once and for all
the British problem in Ireland?
This
raises the question however if the British occupier
is open to peaceful argument or persuasion? Or indeed
if those who are mainly descendants of the Planters
and conditioned through the evil of racism ( i.e.
'Ulster Britishism') and religious prejudice whose
most extreme expression is Orangeism are willing
to accept democracy. Here I recall as coming from
the Protestant Planter mentality expressed by Ian
Paisley, Snr, that they had to drag the native Irish
out of the bogs and make them human. Confirming
that religious intolerance and racism are bed fellows.
If such a mindset can imply that the natives of
this island at the time of the Plantations were
not human then I pity the Chinese and other nationalities
who have or seek to make Ireland their home especially
in the loyalist communities of the north under the
latters influence.
Of
course the Unionists have always maintained that
they are champions of civil and religious liberty
or champions of democracy but their track record
as confirmed by important investigative bodies in
relation to the north of Ireland over decades while
in control of the statelet is rather wanting in
the institution of the latter principles. In fact
they have been internationally condemned as the
source of religious and racial hatred and its consequences.
Surprisingly
from this national source paradoxically a large
number stepped forward and gave us republicanism
i.e. 'government of the people by the people for
the people' as the basis for a better future for
the people of Ireland and the need to follow that
ideal by uniting Protestant, Catholic, and Dissenter.
And it is the emanation from this paradox which
faces those who seek progress and a more equitable
society in the island of Ireland. On the one hand
hatred and division and on the other hand unity
and consent. But does the granting of too much consideration
to a minority by the nationalist and republican
majority as presently constituted help the removal
of hatred and division especially if big brother
Britain consciously or unconsciously ensures by
their presence and support that the minority will
not move an inch towards unity and consent.
Thus
the problem which we face as stated initially is
a British problem not an Irish one and the road
of peaceful dialogue especially its actors must
place pressure upon the author of the problem for
its removal from the political play which has bedevilled
the Irish people and indeed the working class of
the island of Britain for centuries. This pressure
must be internationalized and unceasing. In the
process there is no place for an internal northern
solution for it is the opposite of what Wolfe Tone
decreed and adds to the unionists position in fact
strengthens their position and indeed strengthens
the vacillation behaviour of elements within the
British establishment.
But
in the event of dialogue failing should I as a republican
be expected to accept the status quo, turn my back
on justice for my country i.e. national unity and
freedom and the pursuit of a peoples democracy?
Thus agreeing to continuing foreign occupation and
social inequality coupled with the acceptance that
a minority however large can prevent contrary to
the opinion of a great Protestant nationalist, Parnell,
the onward march of our nation- a march which surely
implies national freedom and self determination.
If
all that occurs through dialogue fails the national
interest with Britain militarily supporting the
minority opposed to national unity what then? Is
this the 'd-day' moment- the moment in which the
only alternative is guerilla warfare because in
our pursuit of justice the way of the dove has failed.
If such a moment was to occur would those who advocate
peaceful means turn to the way of the sword in the
national interest based upon justice and if so what
would be the reality? Is this the moment according
to Christian theological teaching when all else
fails i.e. peaceful means has been tried to its
limits then violence is definitely justified in
the pursuit of authentic justice? Especially if
that lack of justice is continually feeding the
non existence of peace.
Finally
if in the event of dislodging Britain from Irish
affairs would the future facing us through the reality
of self determination have us experience a repeat
of history or at least a similarity pertaining to
the means of establishing a Peoples Republic. Is
this what James Connolly foresaw when he advised
us to hold unto our guns? In other terms would the
minority who owns the wealth of a free nation accept
the majority right to the means of production, distribution,
and exchange without recourse to physical force?
Which simply implies or raises the question- is
there a peaceful way to a Peoples Republic?
