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From Respectability to Violence?: the Transformation of the Orange Order since 1950

Explore the changes in social background, political populism, and the shifting balance between Rebels and Loyalists within the Orange Order since 1950. Examine the division between 'Rough' and 'Respectable' traditions and the challenges posed by paramilitary infiltration. Analyze the decline of the skilled-worker base in urban Orangeism and the impact of violence on the Order's discipline.

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From Respectability to Violence?: the Transformation of the Orange Order since 1950

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  1. From Respectability to Violence?: the Transformation of the Orange Order since 1950

  2. Social Change in Orangeism Since 1950 A less hierarchical organisation: • Changes in social background of elites and masses in 20th c • Growth of political populism within Orange Order since 1950

  3. Rough or Respectable? • Division between 'Rough' and 'Respectable' (Bryan 2000) • Division between 'Rebel' and 'Loyalist' traditions since the beginning • Modernisation shifts the balance

  4. Rebels Loyalists Denomination Presbyterian, Methodist Church of Ireland Plantation Origin Scots-Irish Anglo-Irish Mass base Industrial Labour, Small freeholders Rural tenants North American Exemplars ‘Scotch-Irish’ Patriots in USA, c. 1776 Irish Orange Loyalists in Canada, c. 1837 Interpretation of Orangeism Uphold militant Protestantism Uphold traditional British-Protestant values View of Grand Lodge and Unionist leaders Skeptical Respectful Preferred Political Expression Direct Public Protest Informal elite channels Preferred Orange Principle Ulster-Protestant ethnic interest and reformed faith - as embodied in abstract principle and the sentiments of the mass membership Orange tradition - as embodied in Orange laws, ordinances, customs and history Leadership Evangelical clergy, petit-bourgeoisie Aristocracy, Large local businessmen Political Philosophy Lockean radical change, Populism Burkean evolution, Deference to elite consensus Attitudes to alcohol, band discipline and traditional social mores More permissive, with the exception of a small number of moral fundamentalists Conservative Stance toward paramilitaries and political violence More permissive Antagonistic Attitude toward British crown Conditionality Loyalty Interpretation of Protestantism Protestantism as dissent Protestantism as tradition National identity Ulstermen British Favoured N.I. party DUP UUP Regional base Antrim, N. Down, Belfast South and West

  5. (Post-)Modernisation and Nationalism • 'Rebel' side in better accord with modernity • Thus modernisation = populist ‘nationalism’ while tradition = support for UUP moderates • Contradicts some post-modernisation theory that sees the decline of ethnic, religious or national identities (ie Giddens)

  6. Paramilitary Infiltration • Paramilitaries intimidating and infiltrating Orange Order in inner-city Belfast and even other urban areas • Dawson Baillie: admits that some members in paramilitaries • Baillie: acknowledges paramilitary support for parades • Baillie: cites pressure from grassroots that Order not 'doing enough'

  7. Decline of Skilled-Worker Base in Belfast

  8. Change in Urban Orangeism • Sharp Membership decline in urban areas and larger towns • Few (0-5%) young urban Protestant men are in the Order • Membership losses to alternative forms of Protestant identity (bands, paramilitaries) • Secularisation, de-traditionalisation, de-industrialisation • Belfast Order 'adapts' by relaxing moral code and line against paramilitarism in order to retain members

  9. Orange Order Lodges & Density 1991

  10. Orange Order Density 1991

  11. Male Orange Density, N.I., 1971

  12. Orange Naughtiness by County, 1964-2002

  13. A Decline of Discipline? • Ryder & Kearney (2001), as well as Drumcree and interface violence would suggest this • Some suggest that there has been a change in the culture of Orangeism toward greater permissiveness • Others claim that the middle class has been deserting the Order

  14. Discipline Has Never Been Strong • Gusty Spence and Robert Williamson, UVF men, sentenced for murder of Catholics, 1966 • Mid-June 1967 debate at Grand Lodge. One lodge moves for non-expulsion, decision deferred for 6 mos. pending outcome of Shankill Rd. petition • Though suspended in 1967, few similar cases • What has changed is elite's willingness to suspend for challenging the leadership (ie Spirit of Drumcree vs. Orange & Protestant Committee of 1953-4)

  15. Profile of Orange Resignations, 1998-2003

  16. Postcode Profile of Suspended Orangemen, 2002

  17. Conclusion: Violence and Paramilitarism • Young loyalists increasingly favour DUP, less likely to support traditional institutions (churches, Orangeism) • Change in urban, loyalist culture forces Orangeism to 'adapt' in order to stanch losses • Changes also affect the Order at the top and cause rifts between country-based 'traditionalists' and militants from the towns and E. Bann counties • Though violence on the rise, discipline has never been strongly enforced in the Order

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