There is nothing like an anonymous Internet adage to lift the spirits remind you that things are not as bad as you first thought. I was pondering on my previous contribution to TPQ and the outstanding debate it generated and deciding whether or not I should pen another dispatch for TPQ's consideration.
I then read an exceptional speech delivered by Liam O’Ruairc on Ireland's passive revolution (also in TPQ). Liam’s polemic coupled with the incisive observations of John Crowley and Anthony McIntyre in particular, reminded me of the Confucianism, that real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.
A quote used by Liam, from Daniel Finn from 2022, hitherto unknown to me, rang true with my rudimentary understanding of current political dispensation as it relates to republicanism and the republic.
A form of Irish unity that reproduced the inequalities of the 26-county state on a 32-county level would be an unwelcome and dispiriting conclusion to one of Europe’s oldest political disputes.
While I would maintain that the inequalities in the 26-county state are dwarfed by the inequalities in the northern state (now managed by SF), Finn’s verdict on Unity was insightful. As Irish Republicans the goal always has been and always should be the establishment of an Irish Republic not Unity. Ireland was United before the IRA had fired a shot and was only partitioned after the Tan War had ended.
Anthony and John both raised the discursive bar in a polished exchange of ideas (Benchmark 25) on what Republicanism means and what the Republic might look like:
Another thing that needs developed not on this thread but elsewhere is the concept of The Republic. I don't think enough people get what John and Muiris mean when they say a Republic and how it differentiates from what a united Ireland might look like post-border poll - AM
Republicanism can only be re-built by republicans with the moral courage to rebuild it. That means arguing the toss and not being afraid to stick one’s head above the parapet. Hopefully the broad republican family can reach an agreed consensus on what Irish Republicanism actually stands for - JC
Akin to my previous articles on TPQ, I thought I would explore through the written word, my thoughts on the catch 22 dilemma posed by John, Anthony the other contributors to TPQ.
My thoughts are not independent, having been shaped by my life experiences, education and previous membership of the PRM. I make no apologies for being entirely subjective on this subject matter, although I am acutely aware that my knowledge is superficial and naively ideological.
My first introduction to Republicanism (not the struggle) was as a teenager watching a video produced by the Movement to educate its members on 5 “isms”, and while I like to believe that my understandings have developed in the intervening years, that may not be the case. These are my unsophisticated musings, and I am content to own them and be challenged upon them.
The concept of the republic has evolved since Plato first penned The Republic and posed the perplexity that has yet to be fully answered “why should I be just?”.
A Republic means many things to many people, and therefore the vision of what an Irish Republic might be has many different interpretations. I will assume that those reading this article do not ascribe to the establishment vision of Ireland's future and that exploring the republican positions of FF/FG and SF no longer warrant serious comment.
Any state, that is not a monarchy and adheres to the principle of “government of the people, by the people and for the people” can lay claim to the title Republic. For example, the Roman Empire declared themselves a Republic, similar to many modern-day states, on the basis that “their” oligarchy was democratically elected.
Robespierre’s Republic of virtue, despite the purest of intentions quickly descended into a Republic of terror (like many Republics), but the French revolutionaries bestowed upon us the Republican values of liberty, equality and justice and the principle that the Republic must be governed by a democratically elected body.
For context is it important to note that within the French Constitution “rights are held to be universal and valid in all times and places”, a judicious value for anyone who believes in Republicanism.
Tone and the United Irishmen asserted that the republican values that guided the French and United States revolutions would be the foundations of their school of enlightened thinking on an Irish Republic. The founders of Irish Republicanism enmeshed an anti-sectarian ethos as the cornerstone value of their school of thought.
Irish Republican doctrine has been expanded and refined many times since 1791, with notable contributions from Lalor, Connolly, O’Donnell and others but what has not changed are the core Republican values: note the idiosyncrasy between values and principles.
Connolly ingrained the distinction between Nationalism (territorial unity) and the Republic into the psyche and this has become a universally accepted value. How far sighted were the words “if you won’t pay your rent, you will be evicted the same as now” given the chronic housing crisis from Derry to Dingle. The core values that Connolly bequeathed to Republicanism should not be lost in an era where the Redmondites appear to be in an unassailable position, north and south with the agreed Ireland agenda, and border poll fever masking the unresolved underlying malady.
As John, Anthony and others opined is it now time to redefine what the vision of the Republic might be in the 21st century?
I would venture that today is as good a time as tomorrow to start that discussion, but I would guard against falling into the same confines that have stymied republican debate and therefore the advancement of Republicanism.
From my personal standpoint, my Republic has always been a Republic of conscience. To paraphrase Heaney, a Republic that distinguishes between right and wrong and where the values that I cherish do not need to be spoken or legislated for.
My curious journey as a person who holds strong republican values, has given rise to a convoluted perspective on values, principles and strategy. Having bought into the internal PRM bollixology that surrounded the “peace process” and the endless soul-destroying discussions about principles, tactics and strategy, I would no longer advocate any of these aphorisms.
The universal, indivisible and inalienable republican values that we have inherited from the giants upon whose shoulders we stand, must be the foundations of a 21st century republican ideology that has been redefined for and relevant to modern Ireland.
In laying out my thoughts for critique, I am adamant (to paraphrase an old poker buddy) that Republicans should desist from doubling down on provably losing strategies. As surely as the sun rises, the direction forced upon PSF will not bring the republic and as surely as the sun sets, neither will violence or armed resistance. The Republic is not worth a single human life.
The current conditions in Ireland and the global dynamic should be a fertile breeding ground for those with a republican vision. The preoccupation with trying to mimic, turn and/or sink HMS Ship PSF or reinvent the IRA, has left Irish Republicanism in a place, where they have never been as unpopular, poorly organised and bereft of direction.
That Republicans do not have a horse in the current bogus campaigns for Home Rule, should be viewed as an opportunity, that affords Republicans the space to open up and cultivate the debate about our vision of a 21st Century Ireland. A debate that should be focussed on core Republican values, that includes all those aspire to build an Ireland based upon those values. It should not be a debate about who are the true inheritors, who never abandoned their principles, and who left whoever at whatever time.
The Republic of conscience necessitates, the distillation and advancement of Republican values and not an adherence to dogmatic principles that will eventually and inevitably require compromise. You can not compromise on an unambiguous and circumscribed value base.
I touched on the republican values that reverberate with me, in my first article in TPQ, (First the North Must Work). Everything that I have heard and everything that I have read in intervening two years has not changed my viewpoint that the anti-sectarianism value ingrained in Republican philosophy must have primacy. Therein lies the paradox for republicans: can the quest for “territorial unity” be superseded by the discernible imperative for civic unity, a civic unity that has the potential to bring the Republic closer.
Republicans need to learn to play the long game. There is no one alive in Ireland today who will see the Republic come to fruition and I am sceptical that the British will ever even satisfy the Home Rulers by calling a border poll. Our legacy should be to plant the trees under whose shade we will never sit.
In an era where you can circumnavigate the globe in under two days, what is the nation of Ireland and what are its geographic and demographic boundaries?
How do we cherish all the children of a nation equally when that nation has not been agreed in over a century and who are those children? Does my brother who has lived in the States for over 20 years, still qualify as a child of the nation and conversely does someone who has arrived here as a refugee qualify as a child of the nation?
How does the Republic, that I aspire to, become the global beacon for human rights, justice and equality that Tone, Connolly and O’Donnell etc. envisioned?
Why do Irish Republicans remain fixated on “breaking the connection with England” when the EU, the USA and their multinationals dominate and control a subservient body politic and a docile population?
Are Republicans wedded to an obsolete form of representative Government, that does not take into consideration more democratic alternatives created by IT and AI. If 6 million people can vote for a dancing dog on the X-Factor during a one-hour window on a Saturday night, why do we promulgate a party-political system that disenfranchises 40% of the voters and polarises those that do vote into sectarian camps.
Why are children in Ireland still going to bed hungry? A question that should be asked of every politician in Ireland every day.
At their inauguration, public leaders must swear to uphold unwritten law and weep to atone for their presumption to hold office. - Heaney
It was with a wry smile, that I read some of the comments in my last article, that accused me of being optimistic about Republicanism and the Republic. I hope that this article has firmly disabused anyone of that notion. The views I have expressed and the questions I asked are humbly submitted for critique. The are many more questions that should be asked by those with a greater understanding of the subject matter than me.
Whatever vehicle, if any, might be best suited to deliver the Republic is something that no longer vexes me. I know that the Republic won’t be delivered by PSF or Irelands Future and the fact that there is no alternative to them at this time creates an uneasiness within me. Accepting defeat, is difficult, that is pride fucking with me (Marsellus Wallace, 1994) ; however, I am not prepared to march behind any band to assuage that ego.
Keeping the vision alive is probably the best Republicans can hope for at this juncture: All things come to pass, freedom next time.
How does the ocean become the king of all rivers and streams? Because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power - Lao Tzu
⏩Muiris Ó Súilleabháin was a member of the Republican Movement until he retired in 2006 after 20 years of service. Fiche bhliain ag fás.
Well-written and engaging piece Muiris. Alas imho there's yet more learning to come.
ReplyDeleteYes, we live in a world of volatility, uncertainty, increasing complexity, and ambiguity. And under such circumstances, anchoring oneself in ideals and beliefs has utility. Any 'ism' is better than no 'ism' at all. So, I understand that continuing to flog this dead horse will have value for you and others.
It's challenging and often painful to leave behind our outworn ideas. Exiting a cult, though essential for autonomous thinking isn't easy. Some are up for going through those growing pains; others seem not. Like Sisyphus pushing his rock, and his never-to-be-fulfilled quest, we must imagine them happy.
Thanks Henry-Joy, interesting perspective which leaves me wondering if I have been insulted or not lol. Yes lots of learning for everyone, especially those who have escaped the cult. "Learning by experience is often the bitterest." I am not sure what dead horse has been flogged in this article but I don't think holding or espousing Republican values is an outworn idea or an indication of group think.
ReplyDeleteI'd defend your right to take umbrage to the last Muiris!
DeleteI assure you no insults were intended though and remind you your piece did invite responses, as well as you owning your naivety in some matters.
Trying to keep alive a vision of 'The Irish Republic' as we understood it is akin to attempting to revive a days-old corpse. Furthermore, it may be considered largely undemocratic given that 90+% of the population have voted for territorial unity only by consent.
It seems to me, and feel free to disagree with this, that there's little alternative left for people but to fall into line with all the other hues of social Irish republicanism; those who pay lip service to the Republic but who at the same time have little understanding nor heed for the Republic as originally defined. Think here of Enda Kenny in2016 mandating Free State Army officers to deliver a copy of the Proclamation to every National School in the 26 counties!
Differentiating from all these other Republicans will be imho a fruitless use of time, energy, and resources.
But hey whatever floats your boat!
I am still not sure how the distinction between a united Ireland and a Republic is to be made tangible. There is a risk that in posing the question in such a way it will sound like the two bald men arguing over a comb. I think Muiris's ideas are worthy of pursuit not because I believe they will bring a Republic or even an end to partition but because they can allow republicans to continue to lead authentic republican lives so unlike what we see happening up in Stormont's Animal Farm.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it also possible that the individual can express commitment to Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity or honesty, truth, and justice without yet another republican grouping?
DeleteI suppose, for me the difference in the Republic and unification is that in a Republic, the republican value base would determine that you always did the right thing for example ending child poverty or homelessness would be a relatively straightforward things to achieve if people had the courage to do the right thing rather than the expedient or self serving thing. If Ireland was United tomorrow, FF/FG/SF/DUP would still be the powerbrokers in a new political dynamic but the establishment and status quo would remain unchanged.
ReplyDeleteBut constitutionally there seems to remain little difference between the two in your scenario.
DeleteIt seems to be a question of what type of society we live in post-unity. But this is a discussion as old as James Connolly's urging that republicans hold onto their guns after the Rising.
In my view whatever chance there is of a Republic there is considerably less chance of a socialist republic.
Nevertheless, I agree with your vision.
You have got a severe case of 'idealistic ideation' Muiris.
DeleteI've recounted this story before on the Quill.
Abridged version. Met my mother and father in a border town (Southern side) in 2000. My mother had the homemade bread, the local papers, and the previous evening's Belfast Telegraph. The Telegraph's front page featured a photo of Michael Stone who had been released under the GFA. A debate ensued between my Ma and me about the merits or otherwise of the GFA. To drive home a point I quoted McCracken, "the rich will always betray the poor".
My father who tended to recuse himself in these squabbles quickly qualified McCracken's words with an addendum " And that's the way it'll be until the end of time!"
Probably the wisest and truest words my late father ever spoke!
Been away for work and just getting back to this...HJ, no umbrage taken and thank you for the comments. AM I don't have the answers...lots of questions though. Radicalising the north and south concurrently - creating the space for a modern republican vision and prioritising the eradication of sectarianism in the north and racism in the south would take us closer to a republic than a border poll ever could....
ReplyDelete