Ireland at a Crossroads: The Path to Peaceful Unification in a Post-Brexit Era

Abstract

The post–World War II international system has promoted stability, economic integration, and conflict resolution, fostering conditions increasingly conducive to a peaceful and prosperous unification of Ireland. Central to this transformation is the European Union, the region’s most advanced form of supranational governance, which has deepened cooperation and strengthened resilience against violent conflict. This dissertation traces Ireland’s political trajectory from the formal partition under the Government of Ireland Act 1920, which established Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom, to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which created the Irish Free State. It examines the island’s progression through the Troubles to the peace and prosperity brought about by the Good Friday Agreement, emphasizing the role of European integration in this transformation. Drawing on the Triple Helix Model in conjunction with neofunctionalist and liberal intergovernmentalist frameworks, this study analyzes the interaction among the sovereign state, the international system, and supranational institutions in reshaping Ireland’s political and economic landscape. It contends that Brexit has accelerated the conditions for unification by underscoring Northern Ireland’s unique position between the United Kingdom and the European Union, thereby reinforcing the rationale for integration with the Republic of Ireland. By synthesizing historical analysis, political theory, and contemporary developments, this dissertation demonstrates how divided societies can utilize supranational governance to achieve peace, stability, and democratic self-determination. It concludes that Irish unification, once a remote aspiration, has become a viable and increasingly likely outcome within a strengthened European framework.

Disciplines

International Relations

Subject Area

International relations; European studies

Department

International Relations (INR)

First Advisor

Giannakos, Symeon

Second Advisor

Rizova, Tatiana

Third Advisor

Schattle, Hans

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

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