Description
For that last two decades the UK has been in a state of constitutional flux. This process of regional dislocation has been accelerated by Brexit. The prospect of border poll that might herald a reunified Ireland seems likely over the next decade. However, within the same timeframe the earth is likely to surpass 1.5 degrees of global warming. As the renegotiation of place and space occurs on the island of Ireland regarding its peace process and constitutional future, how can the prospect of a new republic be reconciled with reality of climate breakdown and rapid biodiversity loss? And what type of social agency is required to ensure this reconciliation is meaningful? The paper will argue that a new republic in Ireland, premised on the economics of eco-social harm (capitalism), only embeds conditions for future conflict. Instead, the paper will argue for development of a dissenting citizenry that can struggle for a different paradigm. This is an eco-social critique actualised through social mobilisation that is future oriented in the present moment. The new solidarities that are required for a successful counter-hegemonic process are established in circumstances of antagonistic contestation with capital. These solidarities are not easily made and will require society in Ireland to recalibrate its relationship to nature. In so doing, we must remember in novel ways, forgotten concepts of the peace process like, parity of esteem and accommodation. We must also radically adapt our ideas of 'republic', 'union', 'reunification', 'identity' and what it means to 'indigenous' to Ireland in the shadow of the climate breakdown. Ultimately, a secure future on a habitable planet requires us to get off the fence. The realisation of a Bioregional Republic on the island of Ireland depends on our transgression and civic rejection of the cost living and dying with ecocidal capitalism.
