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.

Beyond grand ideologies, the conflict was fueled by tangible, everyday grievances. Unionist-controlled councils systematically denied housing to Catholics to maintain political power, creating a flashpoint for the civil rights movement and subsequent violence.

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.

History shows populations often unify against an external physical threat, like the British during the Blitz. However, economic hardship creates internal division and is far more likely to lead to social collapse, as seen in 1970s Britain or post-bubble Japan.

The Shah’s modernization efforts, including land reform and expanded state education, were intended to build popular support. Instead, they backfired by threatening the economic base and social authority of the powerful clerical class, turning them into organized opponents.

A growing economy allows diverse groups to coexist without conflict. When the economy contracts and resources become scarce, people retreat into tribal, "me and mine" mentalities, and latent social and political frictions erupt as groups fight over a shrinking pie.

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.

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.