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Overview
A common view among members of the ruling group in Belfast and London is that, after the reforms of the 1970s, the public services and the main social and economic institutions in Nothern Ireland are as fair as they can be in a divided society; and that any remaining inequality between Protestants and Catholics is a reflection of historic discrimination which has now been put right. In this benchmark study, David Smith and Gerald Chambers assemble a wide range of statistical material that emphatically contradicts this view of Northern Ireland's fair and equitable society. Examing the extent of inequality between Protestants and Catholics in all areas of daily life, the authors show how far inequalities can be explained by factors other than discrimination. They also show how people perceive inequality and discrimination and how important they think these issues are. This penetrating study will be of interest to teachers and students of politics, sociology, law, social policy, as well as journalists and political commentators.
Synopsis
A common view among members of the ruling group in Belfast and London is that, after the reforms of the 1970s, the public services and the main social and economic institutions in Nothern Ireland are as fair as they can be in a divided society; and that any remaining inequality between Protestants and Catholics is a reflection of historic discrimination which has now been put right. In this benchmark study, David Smith and Gerald Chambers assemble a wide range of statistical material that emphatically contradicts this view of Northern Ireland's fair and equitable society. Examing the extent of inequality between Protestants and Catholics in all areas of daily life, the authors show how far inequalities can be explained by factors other than discrimination. They also show how people perceive inequality and discrimination and how important they think these issues are. This penetrating study will be of interest to teachers and students of politics, sociology, law, social policy, as well as journalists and political commentators.