From Deference to Defiance: the Transformation of the Orange Order since 1950.
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Transcript of From Deference to Defiance: the Transformation of the Orange Order since 1950.
From Deference to Defiance: the Transformation of the Orange
Order since 1950
Orange Dynamics since 1950
• Changes in mass membership
• Changes in social background of elites and masses
• Changes in institutional structure
• Ideological Shifts
• Relationship with parties and paramilitaries
• Relationship to Unionist identity
From Deference to Defiance
• 'Rough' vs. 'Respectable' (Bryan 2000)
• Division between 'Rebel' and 'Loyalist' traditions since the beginning
• Modernisation also matters
Rebels Loyalists
Denomination Presbyterian, Methodist Church of Ireland
Plantation Origin Scots-Irish Anglo-Irish
Mass base Industrial Labour, Small freeholders Rural tenants
North American Exemplars ‘Scotch-Irish’ Patriots in USA, c. 1776 Irish Orange Loyalists in Canada, c. 1837
Interpretation of Orangeism Uphold militant Protestantism Uphold traditional British-Protestant values
View of Grand Lodge and Unionist leaders
Skeptical Respectful
Preferred Political Expression Direct Public Protest Informal elite channels
Preferred Orange Principle Ulster-Protestant ethnic interest and reformed faith - as embodied in abstract principle and the sentiments of the mass membership
Orange tradition - as embodied in Orange laws, ordinances, customs and history
Leadership Evangelical clergy, petit-bourgeoisie Aristocracy, Large local businessmen
Political Philosophy Lockean radical change, Populism Burkean evolution, Deference to elite consensus
Attitudes to alcohol, band discipline and traditional social mores
More permissive, with the exception of a small number of moral fundamentalists
Conservative
Stance toward paramilitaries and political violence
More permissive Antagonistic
Attitude toward British crown Conditionality Loyalty
Interpretation of Protestantism Protestantism as dissent Protestantism as tradition
National identity Ulstermen British
Favoured N.I. party DUP UUP
Regional base Antrim, N. Down, Belfast South and West
(Post-)Modernisation and Nationalism
• 'Rebel' side in better accord with modernity
• Thus 'modernisation' = ethno-nationalism & tradition = support for UUP moderates
• Akin to earlier waves of egalitarian/secular nationalism (ie France 1789-94; Germany post-Kulturkampf; Zionism)
• Echoed in Unionist electorate (DUP favoured by younger, less traditional)
• Contradicts some post-modernisation theory (ie Giddens)
Structural Changes
• Structure has changed little in 20th century, but informal changes key
• Class 'slippage' in the 20th c. at elite and mass level
• A more populist, 'Rebel' organisation today
Central Committee as 'Cabinet'
Structural Change?
• Informal power over policy concentrated within 30-40 member Central Committee ('Cabinet') and, to a lesser degree, Grand Lodge ('Parliament')
• 'Influentials' dominate CC proceedings
• Central Committee used to be more socially elite than the membership. Why?
• Deference 'pushes' men to the top (ie. IWW in USA)
Central Committee Class 'Slippage', 1954-95
• 1954: Only 9 Untitled out of 35. 16 JPs; 5 OBEs;
• 1995: 31 untitled out of 41; 1 MBE; 5 JPs; Just 3 Academic Degrees
Occupations of Mid-Level Orange Elite, 1901
BELFAST 1901 District Officers Master/Secs Belfast AverageProfessional 8% 1% 5%Petit-Bourgeois 46% 18%Skilled Worker 38% 49%Unskilled Worker 8% 31%N (sample) 39 99TYRONE 1901 District Officers Master/SecsProfessional 23% n/a 3%Petit-Bourgeois 17% n/aFarmer 57% n/a 57%Skilled Worker 3% n/aN (sample) 35
Status of Mid-Level Orange Elite, 2001 (MOSAIC)
BELFAST 2001 District Officers Master/Secs N.I. AverageA Class 6% 6.6% 9.9%Nonrural Top 12 48% 42% 40%Rural 0% 0% 18%Top 12 48% 42% 33%N (sample) 67 166TYRONE 2001 District Officers Master/SecsA Class 5.2% 6.6% 9.9%Nonrural Top 12 63% 70% 40%Rural 79% 74% 18%Top 12 13% 18% 33%N (sample) 77 182
% Top 12
Rural 8
Bottom 7
Nonrural Top 12
Nonrural Bottom 7
N
Freemason officebearers
67.8% 15.5% 8.0% 80.2% 9.4% 766
Orange bloc UUC delegates
45.7% 36.2% 12.4% 71.6% 19.4% 105
UUC delegates total 44.3% 35.9% 8.4% 69.0% 13.1% 879
Grand Orange Lodge officebearers
34.7% 44.4% 9.7% 62.5% 17.5% 144
Northern Ireland population average
32.5% 18.1% 22.9% 39.6% 27.9% 1.6m
Orange Order (lodge) officebearers
32.4% 43.9% 12.4% 57.7% 22.1% 1429
Mass Class Slippage?: The Social Profile of the UUC and Orange Order by MOSAIC Classification, 2003 (99% sample)
Elite and Mass Class Slippage
• Total 22% non-manual membership in 1996
• Mid-level elite of private lodge masters/secs & district officers (top .5 to 5% of Orangemen) has slipped considerably in 20th c.
• Flattened Orange social hierarchy
• US example: WCTU, 1885 and 1925
• Membership decline of 1/3 during 1965-2000. Related?
Consequences of Social Change
• Flattened hierarchy and downward mobility generates impetus for populism
• Two events: – 1953-4: Dungiven Controversy: 'Orange &
Protestant Committee' response – 1995-6: Drumcree Controversy: 'Spirit of
Drumcree' response
Dungiven1953
• Residents of mostly RC town of Dungiven prevent local Orange band from marching in Coronation parade, 1953
• Grand Lodge sides with UUP elite and police
• Grand Lodge openly appeals to brethren to support UUP against Independents in October election
Orange & Protestant Committee, 1954
• 'Orange & Protestant Committee' formed, 1954. 12 of 16 leaders from E. Bann.
• 1400 rebels rally at Wellington Hall, Belfast
• Grievances against 'undemocratic' Central Committee, Lack of defense of rights to march/emblems & support for UUP
• Tough response: Leaders suspended on an
11-4 vote in Central Committee. No concessions.
Drumcree, post-1995
• Orange march halted by RC protestors, Portadown, from 1995 on.
• 'Spirit of Drumcree' splinter movement led by Joel Patton
• 1500 meet in Ulster Hall, Belfast, 1995
• Plus Ça Change?: Grievances over talks with Residents' Groups; UUP-Orange link; 'Undemocratic' Grand Lodge Structures
Drumcree - Aftermath
• Leaders not disciplined, unlike 1954. Order attempts to conciliate.
• Traditionalist legitimation vs. Rebels: 'Encouragement to violence is unchristian, and calls for 'direct democracy' are republican.' - Grand Lodge, 1995
Drumcree - Aftermath• Smyth resigns, 1996; Saulters takes over, 1997• 1997 Occupation of House of Orange by Spirit of
Drumcree• Physically prevented the moderate Education
Committee members from speaking to Parades Commission, 1997
• Saulters, Watson - U-turn on policy in 1997-99• Spirit of Drumcree leaders only expelled in 1999 -
due to action of their own private lodge (who acted despite threats). Grand Lodge did not act.
Drumcree - Aftermath• Reduction in number of Grand Chaplains in Grand
Lodge (reduced religious/moderate influence), 1999
• Education Committee resigns en masse due to Grand Lodge censure. Reconstituted with DUP loyalists, 2000
• Rev. Brian Kenneway charges the new leadership with running scared of DUP and paramilitary-influenced elements. Suggests that there is a new (post-1998) culture of 'inverted snobbery' based on anti-intellectualism and anti-clericalism
• Populist elements may be on the verge of triumph
UUP share of Protestant vote at District Council level
2001 Election Study Findings (Protestants)
• Self-Identified Protestants participate at same level as Catholics
• Age by far the strongest predictor of UUP vote, esp. 18-24 vs. 55-65 cohorts
• Education level more important than income or class for a pro-UUP vote
• Anti-Establishment feeling very important for anti-UUP vote
Rebels Loyalists
Denomination Presbyterian, Methodist Church of Ireland
Plantation Origin Scots-Irish Anglo-Irish
Mass base Industrial Labour, Small freeholders Rural tenants
North American Exemplars ‘Scotch-Irish’ Patriots in USA, c. 1776 Irish Orange Loyalists in Canada, c. 1837
Interpretation of Orangeism Uphold militant Protestantism Uphold traditional British-Protestant values
View of Grand Lodge and Unionist leaders
Skeptical Respectful
Preferred Political Expression Direct Public Protest Informal elite channels
Preferred Orange Principle Ulster-Protestant ethnic interest and reformed faith - as embodied in abstract principle and the sentiments of the mass membership
Orange tradition - as embodied in Orange laws, ordinances, customs and history
Leadership Evangelical clergy, petit-bourgeoisie Aristocracy, Large local businessmen
Political Philosophy Lockean radical change, Populism Burkean evolution, Deference to elite consensus
Attitudes to alcohol, band discipline and traditional social mores
More permissive, with the exception of a small number of moral fundamentalists
Conservative
Stance toward paramilitaries and political violence
More permissive Antagonistic
Attitude toward British crown Conditionality Loyalty
Interpretation of Protestantism Protestantism as dissent Protestantism as tradition
National identity Ulstermen British
Favoured N.I. party DUP UUP
Regional base Antrim, N. Down, Belfast South and West
2001 Election Study Findings (Protestants)
• Self-Identified Protestants participate at same level as Catholics
• Age by far the strongest predictor of UUP vote, esp. 18-24 vs. 55-65 cohorts
• Education level more important than income or class for a pro-UUP vote
• Anti-Establishment feeling very important for anti-UUP vote
Traditionalists (Orange & Other), Co. Tyrone
Orange Skeptics & Liberal Civics (East Belfast)
Non-Orange Skeptics: Protestant Working-Class Area, Co. Armagh
Conclusion
• Major social change within the Order, 1950-present
• Flattening of hierarchies, class slippage, membership decline
• From pillar of corporatism to outsider/lobby
• 2/3 membership favour breaking link (1997)
• 'Rebel', DUP influence on the rise
• Reflects broader social changes in Unionist community rather than DUP putsch
http://www.kpdata.com/epk/index.html (link 1)