Flattening the curve? The role of the state in mediating cumulative extremism dynamics in Northern Ireland, 1969-1975

This article explores the nature of violence in Northern Ireland between 1969 and 1975 through the lens of ‘cumulative extremism’. We argue that an examination of this period provides crucial insights into the dynamic role of the state as both an accelerator and brake on cumulative extremism, which has been underexplored in the literature. We contend that in Northern Ireland the state usually acted as a brake on cumulative extremism, even where this wasn’t always apparent at first sight. And that even where the state seemed to facilitate violence this did not always result in its escalation in an inter-group (movement/countermovement) context.