| dc.description.abstract | The so-called Irish Question as a historical phenomenon first came to be in 1884 and was thought solved by 1922. The Irish Question has been the umbrella term used for all issues concerning the border of Northern Ireland and whether the nation belongs in the United Kingdom or should become a part of the Republic of Ireland during the Troubles. Though the Question was thought solved in 1922 this turned out not to be the case. The Question once again resurfaced in the mid-1960s, this time around, it turned out to be what would spark the most violent period in Northern Irish history, more commonly known as the Troubles. The aim of this thesis is not to write the history of the Irish Question during the Troubles, but rather it is to look at how scholars from different disciplines have researched the Question between 1965 and 1998. The questions asked in this thesis are: -How have scholars from different disciplines researched the Irish Question between 1965 and 1998? -Is there a development within this timeframe of how the Question has been asked? -Are these schools of thought applied sufficient in understanding the Question or is there a need for a new school of thought? Through a broad survey of scholarly texts written on the Irish Question between 1965 and 1998, I will explore how different scholars have applied different schools of thought to their research and how it is possible to see developments within these schools of thought through the Troubles, but also after. I argue that the Irish Question that resurfaced between 1965 and 1998 needs to be seen as a continuation of the Irish Question prior to 1922 and not as a break in history. Furthermore, I argue that the development that took place within the schools of thought, to some degree, is connected to the political developments taking place in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the international system during the period in question. Lastly, I argue that there is a need for a new school of thought when it comes to interpreting the Irish Question, not only in the context of the Troubles but also as the Irish Question resurfaced again in connection with Brexit and has once more become an important part of politics in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the international system. | eng |