Exploring the crucial aspects of the recent Belfast Agreement, this book brings together leading experts on the politics and constitution of Northern Ireland. For many, the Agreement represented a subtle, inclusive, and pluralist bargain; for others, it was a betrayal of the Union or, conversely, of the republican project. Here, contributors critically analyze these rival interpretations of the Agreement, focusing on the motives of its negotiators, the roles performed both by the British and Irish governments, and a number of international actors--notably the United States and South Africa--in forging the deal struck on April 10, 1998. This analysis is complemented by a comparison with the Agreement's predecessor, the famous 1973 Sunningdale Agreement, making it appropriate for all who want a better understanding of Northern Ireland's past and present political environment.