Sir, – Monica McWilliams argues that “this is a crucial moment for civil society and for political parties to forge partnerships” (“Citizens must be involved in major decisions”, Opinion & Analysis, November 22nd). Surely it is the existing cosy relationship between mainstream political parties and “civil society”, in reality well-funded left-leaning non-governmental organisations (NGOs), that is responsible for the current political malaise throughout the West? – Yours, etc,
KARL MARTIN
LETTER 2
Sir,
Monica McWilliams (‘Potential key role for North’s civil society in breaking impasse’ 22 November) is completely right when she argues for a greater engagement of civic society in the decisions that shape our lives, and stresses how important such engagement has been “in Ireland as well as in conflicted societies around the world.”
She might, however, have stressed the extent and depth to which armed conflict is embedded in history and in the contemporary world. In the outcry against the paint-spraying of the WWI soldier at Stephen’s Green, no one mentions that the soldier is carrying a rifle, an instrument not normally associated with peaceful resolution of difference. Emmanuel Macron, the man who mercifully defeated the right-wing Marine Le Pen in the French elections, has called for greater shared sovereignty in Europe, including greater pooling of military resources.
Soldiers and armies, whether national or international, are the antithesis of Prof McWilliams’s call for civic society to help peaceful resolution of difference.
Even we peace-loving Irish have an army. Which means, assuming we pay our taxes, we support violence as an option. Civic society must digest that submerged, uncomfortable fact.
Jude Collins
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