Introduction -- 1. The problem briefly stated -- Nationality -- Religion -- Government without consensus -- 2. To the precipice -- Stormont, 1921-1972 -- The political vacuum, 1972-1975 -- 3. The parties to the conflict -- Characteristics of political organization in Ulster -- Protestant political groupings -- Catholic political groupings -- The "extreme" moderates -- The British role -- Ulster and the republic -- Strange bedfellows -- 4. Campaigning for a constitution -- The circumstances of the election -- The competing parties -- On the eve of the election -- 5. The result of the ballot -- Turnout and boycott -- The distribution of votes -- The effects of proportional representation -- The discipline of voters -- The winning candidates -- 6. In search of a settlement -- Strategic options -- A productive recess -- The outcome -- 7. The limits of choice -- An insoluble problem -- Alternative ways of coping -- Self-government within the United Kingdom -- Direct rule from London -- An independent Northern Ireland -- Unification with Southern Ireland -- The destruction of Northern Ireland -- The way ahead -- Appendix A. Vote transfers -- Appendix B.A note on readings

1. Northern Ireland -- History -- 1969-1994