"...the only ones with any real power..."
I don't disagree they wield power. However, you point out later that governmental power derives from the consent of the governed.
"...the civil war in Northern Ireland was brought to an end by massive pressure form below as communities on both sides of the sectarian divide were heartily sick of the killing and created the necessary space for the diplomatic negotiations which led to the Good Friday peace agreement."
The truth is that the real power in every institution is we the people that support it. This is why we are divided, so that we can't do what both sides did in Northern Ireland and agree to put a stop to it.
Thanks!