The future of this land of ours is a hot topic on the bookshelves, and indeed, the annual tomes produced telling us what is the problem with/solution to Northern Ireland would cover a considerable amount of football pitch space.
Norman Porter believes that what we have to do to secure our future is to reconcile with each other. Seeing the lack of it as the foundation of failure which underlies every attempt to progress, he wants to send his message to the top in his new book, The Elusive Quest: Reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
Having in novel form previously tackled both the Unionist and Republican movement, respectively, Rethinking Unionism and in his editing of and contribution to one on Republicanism, he has been labelled "an intellectual Lundy" in the process. Now he turns his hand to peace. Perhaps the natural third step?
"The fact that I have looked at both elements, and now come to write something on peace does have a sort of symmetry to it. But I have turned to this subject for a reason. The agreement is the single greatest event in the history of Northern Ireland, but rather than signalling a new dispensation, and a new opportunity, it is being squandered rather than seized," Norman says.
"It is as if it never happened. Parties signed up, and then acted as if they hadn't, and sometimes they even acted against it. It just isn't good enough. No-one owns it. Politicians just use it as their plaything and that annoys me. They ought not to be getting away with this."
This new book seeks to explain Norman's view that reconciliation is necessary so that we can move on as a society, and that means total acknowledgement of the differences which divide our society. He believes that if we had reconciliation, "citizens would not be alienated from their public institutions or each other, sectarianism would no longer be our lot, and society's most serious divisions would be healed."
"I want to reconstruct our priorities, which can't occur unless we take an imaginary leap. Everyone is sectarian, they say they aren't, but when it comes down to it, people resort to their own prejudices. We therefore need to take on everyone because it will only work that way. In some ways it's a vision, but practice will make it real."
Therein lies the problem for this 'cure' – practicality. I asked Norman how this can be set in motion? He is unable to move any further than general sweeping statements, so convinced is he that this is the idea which will solve Northern Ireland.
"Even small arguments, they are microcosms. We need to look at that. It needs to be everywhere, from how you speak to your neighbour right up to the highest levels. Some things need put to the backburner, and they will take care of themselves. We need to stop being suspicious of hidden agendas."
Does he think the people here are capable of adopting this?
"Well, they aren't genetically programmed not to be capable. Human beings have always defended their corners, in the same way the politicians outwit, and want to be the best game player. The aim is to win, but this is entirely the wrong approach. It shouldn't be about winning and losing.
"Don't forget the moral dimension to this. Reconciliation in the same way as equality is a moral ideal, and to conduct politics as if the moral dimension doesn't count is extraordinarily short-sighted."
Let's not forget that the word reconciliation is one already well-used in matters of religion here. What does he think of the reconciliation groups, such as the schools group Prism, already working for peace?
"They have had a marginal impact which must move beyond the local sphere. Let's not forget that a few days in July can unravel everything. They still haven't had a large scale effect on the populous, as for issues like parading, it's solved by saying your turn now, then our turn. There isn't any real attention to what's behind it all."
It isn't an easy task he's proposing, as a bit of talking hasn't ever really been the light through the clouds before.
"No it isn't easy, and I describe reconciliation as a 'hard taskmaster'. If you take it seriously, it will bring prejudice to the fore, which you must address. Reconciliation is challenging and disturbing, and that's why people want to leave it aside," he says.
What Norman thinks is missing is a sense of ownership, with people here always pulling in different directions over things like services, which ought to be apolitical. He does however, have a certain hope for the future.
"Everyone wants peace, and that is a great thought to have, but without reconciliation, nothing is solved on a permanent basis. We must learn to place institutions above the constitution, so they become 'ours', shared. We must all want to share in our common goals and the rest will fall into place. Disillusionment after all this time is understandable but it is, in a sense, irresponsible. Really, if we don't do anything about it, who will?"
