Everyone can help : social service provision by the Ulster Defence Association, 1971-1988

An emerging literature examines social service provision by violent anti-state actors and the ramifications of this activity in conflict. The majority of the academic literature on loyalist paramilitarism during the conflict period has focused on political violence. The motivations of pro-state groups to provide services are unclear, and, though the Ulster Defence Association has a long history of non-violent community and social activity, this area of their behaviour has been under-scrutinised. This thesis investigates social service provision by one UDA unit to civilians within the historical timeframe 1971 - 1988 utilising a case study methodology, as the character of local units varied widely. The data presented is the result of research in the case study area, with a specific focus on accounts of providing and receiving provision from UDA members and civilians. The study analyses the effect of service provision on the UDA-civilian relationship. The research finds that social service provision was largely embraced by the civilian population , and was one of several factors that created support for the UDA in the case study area. This support was a crucial component in the UDA's capability to prosecute political violence. The study investigates the motivations on the part of the UDA to provide services, and finds that these motivations included strategic considerations for cultivating a supportive civilian relationship, ambivalence towards the British state, and a desire for local . j autonomy and control. The provision activity is also analysed within the context of the social norms and mores of the subculture of the case study area'; and the wider Northern Irish culture of the time. The history and legacy of social service provision by the UDA is relevant to extant civilian support of the group, and the group's contemporary peace and community development endeavoursEThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo