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Ten years following the UK entered into a hasty public vote that polarised the nation and unleashed turmoil, a advisory is issued from across the Irish Sea: it might repeat.

Policymakers and citizens entered unwittingly Brexit and the similar may happen with a national vote on a unified Ireland, initiating disturbances for which no one is prepared.

That represents the warning from two prominent writers from both sides of the Irish border who have collaborated to examine the pros and cons of Northern Ireland exiting the UK to create a different country with the Republic of Ireland.

Governmental Establishments Not Ready

Fintan O’Toole and The Northern Ireland editor, have determined that the administrative systems in Ireland and Britain are woefully ill-prepared for a possibly tense and transformative public vote.

"The crucial insight of Brexit hasn't been learned, which is that events can emerge unexpectedly and can build support swiftly," the commentator said. "In my opinion that the political architecture of our region remains extremely volatile."

Released Volume Intends to Stir Debate

The team have analysed the political, economic and societal rationales for any governmental shift in a book, The Case For and Against Unification, issued by the Dublin-based Royal Irish Academy.

They seek to stir debate on the issue with a tour of lectures that will take them to Westminster early next month.

"What haunts everyone, or must worry all involved, is the Brexit vote of 2016," said the analyst.

"We should prevent a national vote on a yes-no, ambiguous question whose consequences have remained undefined because then you find yourself with an extraordinarily divided society where people who have lost are not reconciled to defeat and the people who have won lack clarity quite what it is that they have gained."

Legal Framework

Under the Belfast Agreement, the Northern Ireland official should call a referendum on Irish unification if it is indicated that a majority would support.

Nationalist parties and other nationalists say such a time is looming, and a non-profit called pro-unification advocates has garnered backing, but both governments and unionists play down the prospect, making it uncertain when or if there will be a national vote.

Lack of Substantive Discussion

Partisan language for and against unity has masked the absence of informed dialogue, said McBride.

"People tend to be for or against the concept but the concrete planning which could extend past that to achieve it is mostly absent. A lot has gone on in scholarly circles but scarcely any government figures or advocates want to engage even with the fundamentals. As an example, what sort of state should be desired? Unitary? Federal?"

Book's Approach

In the publication, no writer advocates unity or the status quo. Each authors two pieces that seek objectivity in presenting the rationale for a unified Ireland and the case against, marshalling financial and social statistics, past examples and structural examples.

Discussions encompass national emblems, duties, healthcare systems, pensions, sovereign debt obligations and the threat of unionist unrest. The goal is to inform and encourage discussion.

"There's huge interest in the issue but there hasn't quite been a discussion," stated the writer. "Dialogue suggests an recognition of the idea that there may exist valid points on both sides."

Dual Referendums

A referendum in Northern Ireland would simultaneously prompt one in the republic, where citizens say they prefer unification but refuse paying higher taxes or adopting a new flag to acknowledge pro-UK communities' British culture.

"Authorities in Dublin does need to establish what the plan from nationalist groups is other than just stating: 'We want a united Ireland and we value you'," stated O’Toole.

Likelihood of Referendum

McBride believes a national vote in his lifetime is probable and that it might occur unexpectedly. "There might be just a reckless or a poor or a feckless official who says: 'We should proceed and resolve it.'"

Both pro-unification advocates and unionists have credible, legitimate points, he stated. "One side will prevail on this issue and somebody will eventually not succeed but both parties has possesses valuable insights to learn from the alternative viewpoints."

Appeal for Wider Discussion

Westminster needed to participate in the dialogue, urged the analyst. "This concerns Britain. It's a British question just as much as it is an Irish matter."