tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807238897188927967.post8605290486971836876..comments2008-03-22T08:58:34.099ZAMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559413440743290550noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807238897188927967.post-89405375486913445782008-03-22T08:58:00.000Z2008-03-22T08:58:00.000ZAlways good to differentiate between pieces rather than being seamlessly opposed to everything or in favour of them all. The issue of alternatives is non problematical at the level of ideas. The challenge is to find the frame in which the idea can develop. SF for example has no alternative to British rule but has found a frame in which the idea of administering such rule can take hold. I doubt if there is a serious or substantial republican constituency out there which would serve as a frame. Unlike dissident unionist ideas which while not all that developed could nevertheless take root – if, that is, we can generalise from the Dromore by-election.<BR/>That leads onto another point of contention and takes us back to the origins of PSF. Was it a post 1969 phenomenon energised not by the British presence but by the form the presence took? I suspect the latter. The British did not have to withdraw but merely change behaviour in order to pacify the resentment that sustained PSF. The PSF volte face or 'sell out' - as you imply it is viewed by critics - has been absolute in terms of abandoning republicanism. But ultimately how popular was republicanism? It never commanded majority nationalist support. Nationalism alone could secure that. PSF understood that and in order to hegemonise had to derepublicanise. PSF clearly tapped into the northern nationalist ‘common sense’ which is hardly republican. All of which makes it unlikely that any republican alternative will take root.AMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00559413440743290550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4807238897188927967.post-33288119362231381202008-03-10T23:18:00.000Z2008-03-10T23:18:00.000ZAn excellent piece, and one that I've found myself agreeing with to a much greater extent than some of your earlier diatribes. However, a realistic (ish) alternative is needed before the provo efforts can be dismissed outright.<BR/><BR/>The best way to counter the current PSF position (which I broadly support) is to construct an alternative that we can buy in to.<BR/><BR/>If the sell-out by SF is so grave, then your job is an easy one.<BR/><BR/>I watch with interest.corner forwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460836526612274589noreply@blogger.com