Citation

Neumann PR. Low Intensity Confl. Law Enforc. 2002; 11(1): 116-138.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/0966284042000268337

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article examines why paramilitary campaigns in Northern Ireland have continued despite the current peace process. In advancing three instrumental explanations of paramilitary violence, the author provides a useful analytical framework which shows that while organizational interpretations are dominating the public discourse, republicans and loyalists continue to use paramilitary violence as a strategic means of threat and coercion. Furthermore, even though policy implications are not discussed in detail, it will be demonstrated that the dominance of organizational imperatives has resulted in excessive leniency by the state, which - in turn - has contributed to the fragility of the peace process.