Alternative Ulster : voices of political radicalism, cultural empowerment and social dissent within loyalist paramilitarism in Northern Ireland since 1966

This thesis considers the political thought that has been threaded throughout the history of loyalist paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland since the outbreak of the modern troubles in the mid-1960s - a political voice that would often speak in more radical tones than anything else emanating from within a fractured Ulster unionism since the collapse of Stormont in 1972. The overview is grounded upon the historical experiences of the various political fi'onts associated with the Ulster Volunteer Force and Ulster Defence Association and will provide an original and gauged interpretation of the reasons for their comparative lack of success despite considerable promotion and encouragement from external parties. There will be particular focus throughout on the effect of Protestant public antipathy to loyalist paramilitary organisations and to their standard modus operandi regarding both targeting and criminal endeavour.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo