Description
This paper proposes a novel Lacanian historical account and analysis of the Troubles, examining the conflict through the prism of decoloniality. Central to this inquiry is the question: can the Troubles be interpreted as a decolonial conflict? Engaging with Lacanian International Relations Theory (LIRT) and concepts such as Kristeva’s intertextuality, Fanon’s decolonialism, and Grosfoguel's internal colonialism, this study seeks to reframe the understanding of this period. Since a Lacanian history of the Troubles necessarily consists of oral accounts, it is through semi-structured interviews and ethnographic work with former combatants from all sides that the research highlights how a decolonial lens provides fresh insights into persistent issues such as transgenerational trauma, the high rate of youth suicide, ongoing low-level violence, and political deadlock. This approach contributes to the scant literature that reads the conflict as decolonial and offers a historical framework within Lacanian IR. The paper argues that a Lacanian historical reading complements rather than contradicts other narratives, emphasizing learning from the adoption of this perspective through intertextuality. By doing so, it does not purport to present an absolute version of reality but invites a reflective understanding of the conflict's continuing impact on society.
