- Position1 of 4›
- Yes, Ireland should be united
Britain has no claim to any territory in Ireland as it claimed Northern Ireland by force and upheld its existence through undemocratic means
The argument
When Northern Ireland was formed, it was a gerrymandered territory, designed to guarantee support for remaining in the UK despite opposition from many Irish leaders. It was then governed by protestants, for protestants, for most of its history. Because of this, British rule in Ireland remains as a lasting piece of imperialism, is illegitimate and should come to an end.
Context
British governance in Ireland emerged through forcible conquest. Since then, Britain has treated Ireland like a colonial territory and maintained its grip on the territory through oppressive and undemocratic methods.
Premises
Counter-arguments
British rule in Ireland is supported by the self-determination of the people of Northern Ireland, many of whom can trace their families in the area back to the 17th century when they arrived legally and settled on land that had been abandoned after the Flight of the Earls. Britain's initial occupation of Ireland may have come through force, but this was standard in the Middle Ages and many other uncontested territorial claims stem from similar invasions.
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P1] British rule in Northern Ireland is supported by the people of Northern Ireland, making it democratic.