By Bullets and by Talks

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to prove that in the 1980s the Thatcher government treated the Northern Ireland conflict as a security issue, viewed the paramilitaries as criminals, reacted to the problems accordingly and denied the political aspect of the Troubles, while the 1990s governmental attitude was characterised by the application of political dialogues instead of weapons and violence. The Major and Blair administrations handled and responded to the conflict as a political one trying to achieve a consensus-based settlement via talks and meetings.