Books by Donnacha Ó Beacháin
![Research paper thumbnail of The Colour Revolutions in the Former Soviet Republics: Successes and Failures [Hardcover]](https://a.academia-assets.com/images/blank-paper.jpg)
The Colour Revolutions in the Former Soviet Republics: Successes and Failures [Hardcover]
During the first decade of the 21stcentury, a remarkable phenomenon swept through the former Sovi... more During the first decade of the 21stcentury, a remarkable phenomenon swept through the former Soviet Union changing the political, social and cultural landscape. Popularly known as the Colour Revolutions ", these non-violent protests overthrew autocratic regimes in three post-soviet republics: the Georgian Rose Revolution (2003), the Ukrainian Orange Revolution (2004) and the Kyrgyzstani Tulip Revolution (2005). This book examines the significance of these regime-change processes for the post-soviet world in particular and for global politics in the 21stcentury. Engaging comprehensively with the former Soviet republics, the contributors to this book ask why there wasn "t a revolution in a post-Soviet republic such as Russia, despite apparently favourable conditions. They also explore the circumstances that ensured some post-soviet countries underwent a successful colour revolution whilst others did not. Identifying the conditions for successful colour revolutions, this book asks whether there is a revolutionary blueprint that may be exported to other areas around the world that are under autocratic rule. Carefully considering the ideologies of the post-Soviet ruling regimes, this book demonstrates the manner by which political elites integrated nationalism, authoritarianism and populism into public debates. It analyzes the diverse anti-regime movements, discussing the factors that led to the rise of such factions and outlining how these opposition groups were constituted and operated. In addition, it assesses the impact of external forces including the influence of the USA, the EU and Russia. By examining the colour revolution phenomenon in its entirety, this book marks a significant contribution to both our micro and macro understanding of this tide of transformation.
This book, co-edited with Mark O'Brien, presents an overview of political communication in the Re... more This book, co-edited with Mark O'Brien, presents an overview of political communication in the Republic of Ireland from a multiplicity of perspectives and sources. It brings together academics and practitioners to examine the development and current shape of political communication in modern Ireland. It also examines what the future holds for political communication in an increasingly gatekeeper-free media landscape.
The field of political communication, where journalists, public relations professionals and politicians intersect and interact, has always been a highly contested one fuelled by suspicion, mutual dependence and fraught relationships.
While politicians need the media they remain highly suspicious of journalists. While journalists remain wary of politicians, they need access to them for information. For most of the time, what emerges is a relatively stable relationship of mutual dependence with the boundaries policed by public relation professions.
However, every so often, in times of political crisis or upheaval, this relationship gives way to a near free-for-all. Politicians, spokespersons and sometimes even journalists, become fair game in the battle for public accountability and support. The determination of public relations professions to avoid this and keep the relationship based on mutual dependence has become a central component of modern statecraft and systems of governance. The need to keep politicians and the media ‘on message’ and use the media to inform, shape and manage public discourse has become central to the workings of government, opposition and interest groups.
On the other hand, the packaging of politics has potentially troublesome implications for the democratic process. In the era of the instant news cycle, new technologies and constant opinion polling, just where does information end and misinformation begin? With millions being spent annually on advisors and ‘spin-doctors’, just where does media access end and media manipulation begin?
![Research paper thumbnail of The Destiny of the Soldiers: Fianna Fail, Irish Republicianism and the IRA 1926-1973 [Hardcover]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/41356817/thumbnails/1.jpg)
For most of the 20th century, Fianna Fáil was Ireland s largest political party and one of the mo... more For most of the 20th century, Fianna Fáil was Ireland s largest political party and one of the most successful parties in any democracy in the world. With few exceptions, it has been constantly in government since 1932. This book charts Fianna Fáil s political and ideological evolution from its revolutionary origins through extended periods in office. In particular, the book assesses Fianna Fáil s changing attitudes towards its parent party, Sinn Féin, and the IRA, and how these changes affected Fianna Fáil s policies towards Northern Ireland. The book argues that Fianna Fáil s goals, foremost among them the reunification of the national territory as a republic, became the means to bind its members together, to gain votes, and to legitimise its role in Irish society. But the official ideological goals concealed what became merely a basic desire to rule. The balance sheet, consequently, became one of votes won or lost rather than goals achieved or postponed. Never forgetting its republican roots, Fianna Fáil has at times been both troubled and conflicted by them. This was especially the case in the late 1960s and early 1970s when the Northern Ireland Troubles posed a challenge for all rhetorical republicans. At that time, Fianna Fáil found itself the governing party of a state whose legitimacy it had originally rejected: the consequent tensions nearly tore it apart. Destiny of the Soldiers is the first survey of the party s history which focuses on these unresolved tensions.
The Colour Revolutions in the Former Soviet Republics: Successes and Failures [paperback]
During the first decade of the 21st century, a remarkable phenomenon swept through the former Sov... more During the first decade of the 21st century, a remarkable phenomenon swept through the former Soviet Union changing the political, social and cultural landscape. Popularly known as the ‘Colour Revolutions’, these non-violent protests overthrew autocratic regimes in three post-soviet republics: the Georgian Rose Revolution (2003), the Ukrainian Orange Revolution (2004) and the Kyrgyzstani Tulip Revolution (2005). This book examines the significance of these regime-change processes for the post-soviet world in particular and for global politics in the 21st century.
Engaging comprehensively with the former Soviet republics, the contributors to this book ask why there wasn’t a revolution in a post-Soviet republic such as Russia, despite apparently favourable conditions. They also explore the circumstances that ensured some post-soviet countries underwent a successful colour revolution whilst others did not. Identifying the conditions for successful colour revolutions, this book asks whether there is a revolutionary blueprint that may be exported to other areas around the world that are under autocratic rule. Carefully considering the ideologies of the post-Soviet ruling regimes, this book demonstrates the manner by which political elites integrated nationalism, authoritarianism and populism into public debates. It analyzes the diverse anti-regime movements, discussing the factors that led to the rise of such factions and outlining how these opposition groups were constituted and operated. In addition, it assesses the impact of external forces including the influence of the USA, the EU and Russia. By examining the colour revolution phenomenon in its entirety, this book marks a significant contribution to both our micro and macro understanding of this tide of transformation.
Foreword to the Colour Revolutions book by the renowned authority on post-Soviet politics, Profes... more Foreword to the Colour Revolutions book by the renowned authority on post-Soviet politics, Professor Stephen White, University of Glasgow
Professor White concludes: "It would not be too much to say that the editors and contributors of this book have given us a firmer, more comprehensive and insightful body of analysis than we have so far had at our disposal in any language."
Papers by Donnacha Ó Beacháin
This article focuses on how unrecognised states have tried to establish themselves domestically a... more This article focuses on how unrecognised states have tried to establish themselves domestically and internationally, and on the efforts of base states designed to counter these initiatives. Having provided an overview of the main features of post-Soviet unrecognised states, we examine the political systems found in these territories, focusing on their presidents, parliaments, and elections. We then focus on how unrecognised states strive to strengthen themselves through support from abroad, in spite of international isolation. Finally, we debate the strategies enacted by base states to counter such efforts and deny international legitimacy and recognition to these entities.
Nationalities Papers 42/6 pp. 923-941, Nov 5, 2014
This article sheds light on the Euro-Atlantic discourse in Georgia by situating it in a wider fra... more This article sheds light on the Euro-Atlantic discourse in Georgia by situating it in a wider frame. It provides an analysis of its Euro-Atlantic orientation by presenting it as a continuation of past efforts to involve European powers in Georgian affairs and highlights changing trends in this aspect of contemporary foreign policy. Far from determining whether or not the Georgians are European, the different arguments that have been used to support Georgian “Europeanness” are evaluated to assess its role in the national identity construction process. Focusing primarily on the United National Movement government led by Mikheil Saakashvili, we demonstrate how the Euro-Atlantic discourse has been employed domestically by the political elite as a legitimacy management strategy and explore its function in seeking Western patronage, a key foreign policy goal.
"This paper addresses the post-Communist color revolution phenomenon, utilizing aspects of all th... more "This paper addresses the post-Communist color revolution phenomenon, utilizing aspects of all the major approaches (structure, agency, diffusion). It surveys the varying degrees of success enjoyed by color revolutionary movements and demonstrates that the color revolutions involved a learning process not only for insurgent forces but for the state that such forces aimed to dislodge. Furthermore, it illuminates the factors
that facilitated opposition movements to exploit popular disenchantment, framed in the context of contentious elections, and to transform these protests into a force capable of
dislodging the regime. We argue that the ability of potentially vulnerable regimes to observe and digest the reasons for initial color revolution successes assisted them in resisting the
further spread of the phenomenon. Accordingly, we maintain there is a strong correlation between the attitudes of a regime—in particular its capacity to produce a backlash—and
the failure of a color revolution.
Keywords: authoritarian regimes, color revolutions, democratization, former Soviet
spaces, social movements
"
Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Irish Studies in International Affairs, 2020
This article examines aspects of Ireland’s foreign relations in 2019. It begins with a synopsis o... more This article examines aspects of Ireland’s foreign relations in 2019. It begins with a synopsis of elections to the European Parliament, which took place in May, assessing the broad European trends and how the elections played out in Ireland. We then examine the Brexit negotiations process, particularly the impact of Boris Johnson’s rise to the British premiership. The article also assesses the significance of the Westminster election vote in Northern Ireland, which many considered a proxy for a referendum on Irish unity and which produced for the first time a greater number of nationalist than unionist MPs. The review then appraises relations
between Scotland and Ireland as a bilateral review was launched to examine how the two countries might cooperate over the succeeding five years. Relations between Ireland and Russia are then surveyed, particularly Tánaiste Simon Coveney’s visit to Russia, the first bilateral meeting between foreign ministers since Ireland chaired the OSCE in 2012 and coming one year after both countries expelled each other’s diplomats as a result of the poisoning of military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Subsequent sections are devoted to relations with Armenia and Turkey while the visits of Donald Trump and Mike Pence provide opportunities to reflect on the rapidly changing interactions between Ireland and the United States. Before concluding, the article contains a
brief section devoted to those significant figures in Irish and international affairs who died during the year.
Located in current debates on one party dictatorships and regime durability, this article explore... more Located in current debates on one party dictatorships and regime durability, this article explores continuity and disruptions within the Turkmen political elite in their transition from presidents Saparmurat Niyazov (1991) to Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov (2007. We are particularly interested in how the change from an idiosyncratic system, based mainly on president Niyazov's personality cult and visible repression of potential opponents, evolved into a more refined system under his successor, Berdymuhamedov. We will thus look at regime efforts to re-brand Turkmenistan without substantially changing the domestic political structures and dynamics. These include the manufacture of 'opposition parties' and holding of formal elections every five years while retaining absolute control over the most important political aspects of the country. We suggest the existence of a two-fold strategy to maintain the status quo based on authoritarian tendencies and learning. Whilst the shift from the first to the second president has brought significant changes, it also demonstrates essential continuities that helped the formation of an official domestic and international narrative proclaiming commitment to a number of international standards and national values; and strict control of most, if not all, aspects of national political life.
Irish Studies in international Affairs, 2019
This article examines aspects of Ireland's foreign relations in 2018. It begins with a brief syno... more This article examines aspects of Ireland's foreign relations in 2018. It begins with a brief synopsis of domestic politics in Ireland. Deteriorating relations between Russia and the West are then surveyed, particularly the Irish response to the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, for which the Kremlin was blamed, and which triggered the mass expulsion of diplomats. The visit of Pope Francis to Ireland is examined and provides an opportunity to reflect on the rapidly changing interactions between Ireland and the Holy See. Subsequent sections are devoted to significant political events during the Brexit negotiations process including the ‘chequers plan’, the Salzburg summit and the withdrawal agreement negotiated by the European Union and the British Government. The review then appraises the presidency of Michael D. Higgins and its role in Ireland's foreign relations. Before concluding, a brief section is devoted to those significant figures in Irish and international politics who died during the year.
This review examines elements of Ireland’s foreign relations during 2017. It
presents a summary o... more This review examines elements of Ireland’s foreign relations during 2017. It
presents a summary of domestic politics in Ireland, including the Fine Gael
leadership race that followed Enda Kenny’s retirement as party leader after sixteen years. It also explores the negotiations on Britain’s departure from the European Union and the implications of Brexit for Ireland. In addition, it considers significant political events and processes within Northern Ireland during 2017; the response of the Irish political elite to Donald Trump’s first year as US president; and government plans to double Ireland’s ‘global footprint’, in diplomatic terms, by 2025. Significant figures in Irish and international politics who died during the year are noted.
Demokratizatsiya, 2017
This paper examines continuities, adaptions and innovations in elite electoral processes in Centr... more This paper examines continuities, adaptions and innovations in elite electoral processes in Central Asian states between the Soviet and post-Soviet period. We argue that the authoritarian leaders of these states have utilized menus of manipulation developed during Soviet times to manage potentially challenging electoral processes, adapting these menus to changed circumstances, including the new reality of nominally pluralist political landscapes. The continuities highlighted by this analysis, particularly in the means used to manufacture implausibly high turnout figures and overwhelming vote shares for incumbents and ruling parties, illustrate patterns of autocratic governance practice in Central Asia and the continued relevance of Soviet legacies in understanding electoral processes in the region even more than 25 years after the end of the Soviet period.
Located in current debates on one party dictatorships and regime durability, this article explore... more Located in current debates on one party dictatorships and regime durability, this article explores continuity and disruptions within the Turkmen political elite in their transition from presidents Saparmurat Niyazov (1991-2006) to Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov (2007- ). We are particularly interested in how the change from an idiosyncratic system, based mainly on president Niyazov's personality cult and visible repression of potential opponents, evolved into a more refined system under his successor, Berdymuhamedov. We will thus look at regime efforts to re-brand Turkmenistan without substantially changing the domestic political structures and dynamics. These include the manufacture of ‘opposition parties’ and holding of formal elections every five years while retaining absolute control over the most important political aspects of the country.
By doing this, we will suggest the existence of a two-fold strategy to maintain the status quo based on authoritarian tendencies and learning. Whilst the shift from the first to the second president has brought significant changes, it also demonstrates essential continuities that helped the formation of 1) an official domestic and international narrative proclaiming commitment to a number of international standards and national values and 2) strict control of most, if not all, aspects of national political life (or what is perceived to be political).
This article examines aspects of Ireland’s foreign relations in 2016, which was by any definition... more This article examines aspects of Ireland’s foreign relations in 2016, which was by any definition a tumultuous year in world affairs. While Ireland has diplomatic relations with over 160 states, three relationships arguably trump all others: those with the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The health of all three relationships was threatened during 2016.
Our review begins with a synopsis of the much-anticipated Irish general
election and is followed by a detailed survey of party manifestoes, as political aspirants set out their stalls on foreign policy. We then explore the results of the census carried out in April 2016, which documents an ever-changing Ireland that is increasingly complex and multi-cultural. The article sheds light on significant political events and processes in Northern Ireland and developments in Anglo-Irish relations generally during 2016. Particular emphasis is given to assessing the implications of Brexit for Ireland. Finally, we consider the response of the Irish political elite to the election of Donald Trump as US president and the subsequent debate regarding how his presidency could influence IrishAmerican relations.
Irish Studies in International Affairs
This article examines aspects of Ireland’s foreign relations in 2015. It begins with an overview ... more This article examines aspects of Ireland’s foreign relations in 2015. It begins with an overview of how the May referendum on same-sex marriage reflected a changing Ireland, but also attracted worldwide attention and comment. Increasing linguistic diversity within Ireland is highlighted as another impor- tant shift within Irish society and one that has established new connections between Ireland and a plethora of countries around the globe. How the sixtieth anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the United Nations was celebrated is then briefly reviewed, before a breakdown of the financial costs of maintaining a diplomatic network abroad is provided. The article also examines three major government publications released during 2015. These are The global island, the first major review of Irish foreign policy for almost two decades; a new White Paper on defence; and the first policy document on the Irish diaspora. Relations with Russia are surveyed in the light of continuing sanctions, instability in Ukraine and the entry into Irish-controlled airspace during 2015 of Russian nuclear bomber aircraft. The decision to send a top-level delegation to Turkey to commemorate the allied invasion of the Ottoman Empire in 1915 while simultaneously participating in a comparatively low-key fashion in events marking the centenary of what is known to many as the Armenian Genocide provides the starting point for a broader discussion of the politics and geo- politics of commemorating the events of a century ago. The article also considers the response of the Irish political elite and the general public to the election of a Syriza-led government in Greece and the subsequent debate about that country’s future in the EU and the Eurozone (‘Grexit’). The terror attacks in France and their implications for Ireland are then examined. Finally, the article sheds light on significant political events and processes in Northern Ireland and developments in Anglo-Irish relations generally during 2015.
Nation-Building and Identity in the Post-Soviet Space: New Tools and Approaches, Apr 2016
National elections have remained, surprisingly, largely absent in most nation- building debates w... more National elections have remained, surprisingly, largely absent in most nation- building debates where focus has tended towards either the instrumentalism of political elites and/or much wider structural explanations (Gellner 1983, Hobsbawm and Ranger 1983, Anderson 1991). Whether fair and free or unfree, national elites depend upon elections for their legitimation, both domestic and international. In many parts of the post-Soviet space elections are rigged, with turnout and the distribution of votes decided in advance of election day. (Wilson 2005). Nevertheless, while elections in the post-Soviet space may not serve their typical function of translating policy preferences into political representation, it has been argued that electoral processes can play a central role in nation-state building processes as part of efforts to legitimise authoritarian regimes (Ó Beacháin and Kevlihan 2015). In an attempt to build on previous observations regarding the relationship between elections and nation-building efforts in the post-Soviet space, this chapter examines the role elections have played in nation-state formation efforts in the unrecognised state of Abkhazia.
Nationalities Papers
Is an imagined democracy more important than actual democracy for nation-building purposes? After... more Is an imagined democracy more important than actual democracy for nation-building purposes? After 20 years of independence, Central Asian countries present a mixed bag of strong and weak states, consolidated and fragmented nations. The equation of nation and state and the construction of genuine nation states remains an elusive goal in all of post-Soviet Central Asia. This paper examines the role that electoral politics has played in nation-state formation. We argue that electoral processes have been central to attempted nation-state building processes as part of efforts to legitimize authoritarian regimes; paradoxically in those few countries where (for brief periods) partial democratization actually occurred, elections contributed, at least in the short term, to nation-state fragmentation.
Volume 3, No. 3, Oct 2015
While various debates have arisen on the relationship between non-recognition and democratisation... more While various debates have arisen on the relationship between non-recognition and democratisation, empirical case studies on elections in de facto states are extremely rare. This article examines recent presidential and parliamentary elections in two unrecognised or partially recognised de facto states in the South Caucasus, namely Abkhazia and Nagorny Karabakh. Accordingly, the emphasis is on the Abkhazian presidential elections of August 2011 and August 2014 and parliamentary elections of 2007 and 2012, along with the most recent executive and legislative elections in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) in July 2012 and May 2015 respectively. On the basis of extensive interviews and participant observation, this article demonstrates how although both parliamentary and presidential elections in Abkhazia are competitive, they favour the titular nation, while in homogeneous Nagorny Karabakh fear of a renewed conflagration has until recently produced relatively uncompetitive presidential contests. The dynamics of majoritarian versus party list, party, ethnic and gender representation are examined in each case. The case studies reveal weak political parties, but the NKR has made incremental changes to the electoral law that might encourage a less personality-based parliamentary system. Available at http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23761199.2015.1086571
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Books by Donnacha Ó Beacháin
The field of political communication, where journalists, public relations professionals and politicians intersect and interact, has always been a highly contested one fuelled by suspicion, mutual dependence and fraught relationships.
While politicians need the media they remain highly suspicious of journalists. While journalists remain wary of politicians, they need access to them for information. For most of the time, what emerges is a relatively stable relationship of mutual dependence with the boundaries policed by public relation professions.
However, every so often, in times of political crisis or upheaval, this relationship gives way to a near free-for-all. Politicians, spokespersons and sometimes even journalists, become fair game in the battle for public accountability and support. The determination of public relations professions to avoid this and keep the relationship based on mutual dependence has become a central component of modern statecraft and systems of governance. The need to keep politicians and the media ‘on message’ and use the media to inform, shape and manage public discourse has become central to the workings of government, opposition and interest groups.
On the other hand, the packaging of politics has potentially troublesome implications for the democratic process. In the era of the instant news cycle, new technologies and constant opinion polling, just where does information end and misinformation begin? With millions being spent annually on advisors and ‘spin-doctors’, just where does media access end and media manipulation begin?
Engaging comprehensively with the former Soviet republics, the contributors to this book ask why there wasn’t a revolution in a post-Soviet republic such as Russia, despite apparently favourable conditions. They also explore the circumstances that ensured some post-soviet countries underwent a successful colour revolution whilst others did not. Identifying the conditions for successful colour revolutions, this book asks whether there is a revolutionary blueprint that may be exported to other areas around the world that are under autocratic rule. Carefully considering the ideologies of the post-Soviet ruling regimes, this book demonstrates the manner by which political elites integrated nationalism, authoritarianism and populism into public debates. It analyzes the diverse anti-regime movements, discussing the factors that led to the rise of such factions and outlining how these opposition groups were constituted and operated. In addition, it assesses the impact of external forces including the influence of the USA, the EU and Russia. By examining the colour revolution phenomenon in its entirety, this book marks a significant contribution to both our micro and macro understanding of this tide of transformation.
Professor White concludes: "It would not be too much to say that the editors and contributors of this book have given us a firmer, more comprehensive and insightful body of analysis than we have so far had at our disposal in any language."
Papers by Donnacha Ó Beacháin
that facilitated opposition movements to exploit popular disenchantment, framed in the context of contentious elections, and to transform these protests into a force capable of
dislodging the regime. We argue that the ability of potentially vulnerable regimes to observe and digest the reasons for initial color revolution successes assisted them in resisting the
further spread of the phenomenon. Accordingly, we maintain there is a strong correlation between the attitudes of a regime—in particular its capacity to produce a backlash—and
the failure of a color revolution.
Keywords: authoritarian regimes, color revolutions, democratization, former Soviet
spaces, social movements
"
between Scotland and Ireland as a bilateral review was launched to examine how the two countries might cooperate over the succeeding five years. Relations between Ireland and Russia are then surveyed, particularly Tánaiste Simon Coveney’s visit to Russia, the first bilateral meeting between foreign ministers since Ireland chaired the OSCE in 2012 and coming one year after both countries expelled each other’s diplomats as a result of the poisoning of military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Subsequent sections are devoted to relations with Armenia and Turkey while the visits of Donald Trump and Mike Pence provide opportunities to reflect on the rapidly changing interactions between Ireland and the United States. Before concluding, the article contains a
brief section devoted to those significant figures in Irish and international affairs who died during the year.
presents a summary of domestic politics in Ireland, including the Fine Gael
leadership race that followed Enda Kenny’s retirement as party leader after sixteen years. It also explores the negotiations on Britain’s departure from the European Union and the implications of Brexit for Ireland. In addition, it considers significant political events and processes within Northern Ireland during 2017; the response of the Irish political elite to Donald Trump’s first year as US president; and government plans to double Ireland’s ‘global footprint’, in diplomatic terms, by 2025. Significant figures in Irish and international politics who died during the year are noted.
By doing this, we will suggest the existence of a two-fold strategy to maintain the status quo based on authoritarian tendencies and learning. Whilst the shift from the first to the second president has brought significant changes, it also demonstrates essential continuities that helped the formation of 1) an official domestic and international narrative proclaiming commitment to a number of international standards and national values and 2) strict control of most, if not all, aspects of national political life (or what is perceived to be political).
Our review begins with a synopsis of the much-anticipated Irish general
election and is followed by a detailed survey of party manifestoes, as political aspirants set out their stalls on foreign policy. We then explore the results of the census carried out in April 2016, which documents an ever-changing Ireland that is increasingly complex and multi-cultural. The article sheds light on significant political events and processes in Northern Ireland and developments in Anglo-Irish relations generally during 2016. Particular emphasis is given to assessing the implications of Brexit for Ireland. Finally, we consider the response of the Irish political elite to the election of Donald Trump as US president and the subsequent debate regarding how his presidency could influence IrishAmerican relations.