Search

The awarding of the 1998 Nobel Peace prize to John Hume and Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has prompted very different reactions within the nationalist and Unionist communities. There has been some celebration, especially among nationalists, but some Unionists have felt cautious and even suspicious. Some nationalists, especially republicans, feel that Gerry Adams should have received a share of the prize as well as, or instead of, Trimble. However, even these nationalists also believe that it is too soon to reward a peace process that still has a very long way to go.

SDLP leader John Hume and Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble have been jointly awarded the 1998 Nobel peace prize. For Hume, the prize marks the high point of a political career which began in the 1960s and has made him a key figure in Northern Irish life. In contrast, Trimble has only been an MP for a relatively short time and has only led the Ulster Unionists since 1995. Hume and the nationalists are very clear about what they want to achieve, while Unionism is still very divided on the best way forward.

The fact that the 1998 Nobel prize for economics has been awarded to Amartya Sen, a welfare economist who is most well known for his work on the causes of poverty, famine and social inequality, indicates that the Nobel prize committee now recognizes welfare economics. This trend is to be welcomed. It is to be hoped that the future decisions of the Nobel committee will further serve to shift economics away from intricate detail and towards the development of historical judgement.

The run-up to the decision on the 1998 Nobel Prize for Literature has been marred by the fact that three of the members of the Swedish Academy committee responsible for making the decision have chosen not to participate. Particular controversy surrounds Swedish Academy Permanent Secretary Sture Allen, who has been accused of not reading the books nominated for the award and of lack of vision. It is very difficult to predict which author will be selected for the award, as the committee brings together people of very differing views.