VILLANOVA POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR EXAMINES CIVIC PARTIES IN DIVIDED SOCIETIES IN NEW BOOK

Villanova, Pa — In places shaped by conflict, politics are often reduced to a simple story of stark polarization between two opposing sides. According to Cera Murtagh, PhD, associate professor of Political Science and Irish Studies at Villanova University, that narrative overlooks a more complex reality.

In her new book, Civic Parties in Divided Societies: Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Dr. Murtagh explores how a different kind of politics is taking place in deeply divided countries. Focusing on Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina where most political parties organize along ethnic lines, she examines the rise of civic parties that seek to reach across the divide—rejecting ethnonationalism and organizing around alternative identities and issues such as class, gender and social justice.

With expertise in comparative politics, social movements in divided societies and peacebuilding, Dr. Murtagh studies how these societies transition from armed conflict to peace. “My research examines how societies move on from conflict—not just to signing a peace agreement, but beyond that, towards a fuller sense of democracy,” she explains.

The book draws on more than a decade of Dr. Murtagh’s research, including extensive fieldwork in Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina. During that time, she conducted more than 100 interviews with politicians, activists and civil society leaders, in addition to focus groups with voters. “It was a real privilege,” she says. “People were incredibly generous with their time and insights, and that shaped not just the findings, but my understanding of the problem itself.”

Following peace agreements, power-sharing systems in Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina were established to give former conflict groups guaranteed representation in the political sphere. However, these systems left limited space for parties organizing outside traditional ethnic identities. Yet, “Despite these barriers, civic parties show really creative agency in how they navigate the system and have even taken up positions in government,” says Dr. Murtagh.

For scholars, policymakers and anyone interested in social justice, Civic Parties in Divided Societies offers a new framework for understanding political life after conflict. As polarization shapes politics in many parts of the world, Dr. Murtagh sees lessons that extend beyond Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina, offering insights into how civic parties and social movements can navigate deep political divides and make a meaningful impact.

Dr. Murtagh earned her PhD from the University of Edinburgh. She holds an MSc in International and European Politics from the University of Edinburgh and a BA in Sociology and Politics and English from the University of Galway.

About Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been the heart of the Villanova learning experience, offering foundational courses for undergraduate students in every college of the University. Serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, the College is committed to fortifying them with intellectual rigor, multidisciplinary knowledge, moral courage and a global perspective. The College has more than 40 academic departments and programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences.