Tutkija osittaispoliitikkona : Pohjois-Irlannin unionismitutkimus polittiisena puheena

Authors

• Jyrki Ruohomäki

Abstract

This article discusses the study of Northern Ireland unionism by viewing the scholar as a type of political actor. My thesis is that the political conflict in Northern Ireland is so penetrating that it is virtually impossible for a scholar to stand aside from it. In this case, academic endeavours are necessarily also interventions in daily politics. I will argue my point by analyzing the study of Northern Ireland unionism and contrasting it with the context of daily politics in Northern Ire­land. Theoretically my work uses Max Weber’s notion of objectivity (“Objektivität”), which is interpreted through the work of Kari Palonen.