Political violence and extreme polarization are symptoms of deeper economic anxieties. When people feel economically insecure, they retreat into tribal identities and become susceptible to narratives of anger, which can escalate into violence.

The common narrative that The Troubles erupted suddenly in the 1960s is false. In 1939, the IRA conducted a sabotage campaign with bombings in major English cities, including London and Coventry. This earlier violence is largely erased from British collective memory.

For decades, British politicians viewed the "Irish Question" as solved, leading to a profound lack of interest and oversight. This ignorance allowed systemic discrimination against Catholics in Northern Ireland to continue unchecked within the UK's borders.

Prime Minister Terence O'Neill's efforts to attract foreign investment disrupted traditional Protestant-dominated industries. This economic change, rather than creating harmony, heightened anxieties among working-class Protestants who felt their privileged status was being eroded.

The inability for young people to afford assets like housing creates massive inequality and fear. This economic desperation makes them susceptible to populist leaders who redirect their anger towards political opponents, ultimately sparking violence.

To articulate their identities, both Unionists and Nationalists drew parallels with international conflicts. Unionists saw themselves as a besieged people like Israelis, while Nationalists identified with Palestinians, using these global narratives to legitimize their local grievances.

Unaffordable housing is the root cause of many social problems. It statistically correlates with lower marriage and birth rates, increased alcohol abuse, and declining mental health, as it prevents young people from achieving a key milestone of adulthood.

The root cause of many social conflicts is not just ideology but deep-seated economic anxiety. When people struggle to pay bills, that stress turns into anger, which is easily manipulated into tribalism and fighting over a perceived "shrinking pie."

The sectarian nature of Northern Ireland wasn't a hidden flaw; it was explicitly stated policy. The first Prime Minister, Sir James Craig, proudly proclaimed, "we are a Protestant parliament at a Protestant state," institutionalizing discrimination from the very top.