Focusing on the conflict in Northern Ireland, this book explores such questions as why successive governments have failed to reach any settlement, and progress to date with the Anglo-Irish agreement. The authors assess these questions, in the light of past historical and social science scholarship, in interviews with key politicians, and in an examination of political violence since 1969. They point to feasible strategies for a democratic settlement of the Province. O'Leary's other publications include Theories of the State (1987) and The Asiatic Mode of Production (1989). McGarry's other titles include The Future of Northern Ireland (1990), co-edited with O'Leary.