The repeated crises of devolved power sharing in the face of continued paramilitary activity and persistent sectarianism have hindered attempts to shape a new Northern Irish politics, based upon peace and consensus. In this important new book, Jonathan Tonge analyzes the underlying issues, explores the ways in which rivalries within and between unionism and nationalism perpetuate instability, and assesses the potential and limitations of consociational deals like the Good Friday Agreement in conflict resolution. Undergraduate courses on Northern Ireland Politics - core text; undergraduate and postgraduate courses on territorial politics, UK politics, devolved governance etc; all for students of politics and public policy