The Transformation of the Orange Order Since 1950: From Deference to Defiance

1. From Deference to Defiance: the Transformation of the Orange Order since 1950

3. Orange Dynamics since 1950 • Changes in mass membership • Changes in social background of elites and masses • Changes in institutional structure • Ideological Shifts • Relationship with parties and paramilitaries • Relationship to Unionist identity

4. From Deference to Defiance • 'Rough' vs. 'Respectable' (Bryan 2000) • Division between 'Rebel' and 'Loyalist' traditions since the beginning • Modernisation also matters

5. Rebels Loyalists Denomination Presbyterian, Methodist Church of Ireland Plantation Origin Scots-Irish Anglo-Irish Mass base Industrial Labour, Small freeholders Rural tenants North American Exemplars ‘Scotch-Irish’ Patriots in USA, c. 1776 Irish Orange Loyalists in Canada, c. 1837 Interpretation of Orangeism Uphold militant Protestantism Uphold traditional British-Protestant values View of Grand Lodge and Unionist leaders Skeptical Respectful Preferred Political Expression Direct Public Protest Informal elite channels Preferred Orange Principle Ulster-Protestant ethnic interest and reformed faith - as embodied in abstract principle and the sentiments of the mass membership Orange tradition - as embodied in Orange laws, ordinances, customs and history Leadership Evangelical clergy, petit-bourgeoisie Aristocracy, Large local businessmen Political Philosophy Lockean radical change, Populism Burkean evolution, Deference to elite consensus Attitudes to alcohol, band discipline and traditional social mores More permissive, with the exception of a small number of moral fundamentalists Conservative Stance toward paramilitaries and political violence More permissive Antagonistic Attitude toward British crown Conditionality Loyalty Interpretation of Protestantism Protestantism as dissent Protestantism as tradition National identity Ulstermen British Favoured N.I. party DUP UUP Regional base Antrim, N. Down, Belfast South and West

6. (Post-)Modernisation and Nationalism • 'Rebel' side in better accord with modernity • Thus 'modernisation' = ethno-nationalism & tradition = support for UUP moderates • Akin to earlier waves of egalitarian/secular nationalism (ie France 1789-94; Germany post-Kulturkampf; Zionism) • Echoed in Unionist electorate (DUP favoured by younger, less traditional) • Contradicts some post-modernisation theory (ie Giddens)

7. Structural Changes • Structure has changed little in 20th century, but informal changes key • Class 'slippage' in the 20th c. at elite and mass level • A more populist, 'Rebel' organisation today

9. CentralCommittee as 'Cabinet'

10. Structural Change? • Informal power over policy concentrated within 30-40 member Central Committee ('Cabinet') and, to a lesser degree, Grand Lodge ('Parliament') • 'Influentials' dominate CC proceedings • Central Committee used to be more socially elite than the membership. Why? • Deference 'pushes' men to the top (ie. IWW in USA)

11. 1954: Only 9 Untitled out of 35. 16 JPs; 5 OBEs; 1995: 31 untitled out of 41; 1 MBE; 5 JPs; Just 3 Academic Degrees Central Committee Class 'Slippage', 1954-95

12. Occupations of Mid-Level Orange Elite, 1901

13. Status of Mid-Level Orange Elite, 2001 (MOSAIC)

14. Mass Class Slippage?: The Social Profile of the UUC and Orange Order by MOSAIC Classification, 2003 (99% sample) % Top 12 Rural 8 Bottom 7 Nonrural Top 12 Nonrural Bottom 7 N Freemason officebearers 67.8% 15.5% 8.0% 80.2% 9.4% 766 Orange bloc UUC delegates 45.7% 36.2% 12.4% 71.6% 19.4% 105 UUC delegates total 44.3% 35.9% 8.4% 69.0% 13.1% 879 Grand Orange Lodge officebearers 34.7% 44.4% 9.7% 62.5% 17.5% 144 Northern Ireland population average 32.5% 18.1% 22.9% 39.6% 27.9% 1.6m Orange Order (lodge) officebearers 32.4% 43.9% 12.4% 57.7% 22.1% 1429

15. Elite and Mass Class Slippage • Total 22% non-manual membership in 1996 • Mid-level elite of private lodge masters/secs & district officers (top .5 to 5% of Orangemen) has slipped considerably in 20th c. • Flattened Orange social hierarchy • US example: WCTU, 1885 and 1925 • Membership decline of 1/3 during 1965-2000. Related?

16. Consequences of Social Change • Flattened hierarchy and downward mobility generates impetus for populism • Two events: • 1953-4: Dungiven Controversy: 'Orange & Protestant Committee' response • 1995-6: Drumcree Controversy: 'Spirit of Drumcree' response

17. Dungiven1953 • Residents of mostly RC town of Dungiven prevent local Orange band from marching in Coronation parade, 1953 • Grand Lodge sides with UUP elite and police • Grand Lodge openly appeals to brethren to support UUP against Independents in October election

18. Orange & Protestant Committee, 1954 • 'Orange & Protestant Committee' formed, 1954. 12 of 16 leaders from E. Bann. • 1400 rebels rally at Wellington Hall, Belfast • Grievances against 'undemocratic' Central Committee, Lack of defense of rights to march/emblems & support for UUP • Tough response: Leaders suspended on an 11-4 vote in Central Committee. No concessions.

19. Drumcree, post-1995 • Orange march halted by RC protestors, Portadown, from 1995 on. • 'Spirit of Drumcree' splinter movement led by Joel Patton • 1500 meet in Ulster Hall, Belfast, 1995 • Plus Ça Change?: Grievances over talks with Residents' Groups; UUP-Orange link; 'Undemocratic' Grand Lodge Structures

20. Drumcree - Aftermath • Leaders not disciplined, unlike 1954. Order attempts to conciliate. • Traditionalist legitimation vs. Rebels: 'Encouragement to violence is unchristian, and calls for 'direct democracy' are republican.' - Grand Lodge, 1995

21. Drumcree - Aftermath • Smyth resigns, 1996; Saulters takes over, 1997 • 1997 Occupation of House of Orange by Spirit of Drumcree • Physically prevented the moderate Education Committee members from speaking to Parades Commission, 1997 • Saulters, Watson - U-turn on policy in 1997-99 • Spirit of Drumcree leaders only expelled in 1999 - due to action of their own private lodge (who acted despite threats). Grand Lodge did not act.

22. Drumcree - Aftermath • Reduction in number of Grand Chaplains in Grand Lodge (reduced religious/moderate influence), 1999 • Education Committee resigns en masse due to Grand Lodge censure. Reconstituted with DUP loyalists, 2000 • Rev. Brian Kenneway charges the new leadership with running scared of DUP and paramilitary-influenced elements. Suggests that there is a new (post-1998) culture of 'inverted snobbery' based on anti-intellectualism and anti-clericalism • Populist elements may be on the verge of triumph

23. UUP share of Protestant vote at District Council level

24. 2001 Election Study Findings (Protestants) • Self-Identified Protestants participate at same level as Catholics • Age by far the strongest predictor of UUP vote, esp. 18-24 vs. 55-65 cohorts • Education level more important than income or class for a pro-UUP vote • Anti-Establishment feeling very important for anti-UUP vote

25. Rebels Loyalists Denomination Presbyterian, Methodist Church of Ireland Plantation Origin Scots-Irish Anglo-Irish Mass base Industrial Labour, Small freeholders Rural tenants North American Exemplars ‘Scotch-Irish’ Patriots in USA, c. 1776 Irish Orange Loyalists in Canada, c. 1837 Interpretation of Orangeism Uphold militant Protestantism Uphold traditional British-Protestant values View of Grand Lodge and Unionist leaders Skeptical Respectful Preferred Political Expression Direct Public Protest Informal elite channels Preferred Orange Principle Ulster-Protestant ethnic interest and reformed faith - as embodied in abstract principle and the sentiments of the mass membership Orange tradition - as embodied in Orange laws, ordinances, customs and history Leadership Evangelical clergy, petit-bourgeoisie Aristocracy, Large local businessmen Political Philosophy Lockean radical change, Populism Burkean evolution, Deference to elite consensus Attitudes to alcohol, band discipline and traditional social mores More permissive, with the exception of a small number of moral fundamentalists Conservative Stance toward paramilitaries and political violence More permissive Antagonistic Attitude toward British crown Conditionality Loyalty Interpretation of Protestantism Protestantism as dissent Protestantism as tradition National identity Ulstermen British Favoured N.I. party DUP UUP Regional base Antrim, N. Down, Belfast South and West

26. 2001 Election Study Findings (Protestants) • Self-Identified Protestants participate at same level as Catholics • Age by far the strongest predictor of UUP vote, esp. 18-24 vs. 55-65 cohorts • Education level more important than income or class for a pro-UUP vote • Anti-Establishment feeling very important for anti-UUP vote

27. Traditionalists (Orange & Other), Co. Tyrone

28. Orange Skeptics & Liberal Civics (East Belfast)

29. Non-Orange Skeptics: Protestant Working-Class Area, Co. Armagh

30. Conclusion • Major social change within the Order, 1950-present • Flattening of hierarchies, class slippage, membership decline • From pillar of corporatism to outsider/lobby • 2/3 membership favour breaking link (1997) • 'Rebel', DUP influence on the rise • Reflects broader social changes in Unionist community rather than DUP putsch

31. http://www.kpdata.com/epk/index.html (link 1)