In our final episode of the season, George and Colin explore the historic and ongoing dynamics of Northern Ireland's peace process, focusing on the transformative impact of the 1998 Agreement. They discuss the establishment of new power-sharing structures and the adoption of proportional representation. More importantly, they discuss how these structural changes to Northern Ireland’s democracy largely brought an end to 30 years of violent, sectarian, political conflict in the region. 

The story of the 1998 Agreement gives Americans permission to hope again for our democracy. If Northern Ireland has taught us anything, it’s that we can—and should—reimagine a more inclusive, vibrant future of our former democracy. 

Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:  

Dominic Bryan, Queens University Belfast  

Paul Donnelly, Dead Center Tours 

Claire Hanna, MP for South Belfast and Mid Down 

Gerry Lynch, former Executive Director of the Alliance Party (2007-2011)  

Sam McBride, Belfast Telegraph 

Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound 

Episode photo gallery 

Music and archival 

Transcript 

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