Reconciliation or Reconstruction? Further Thoughts on Political Forgiveness

Abstract

Over the past decade a substantial literature has emerged on the concept of political forgiveness and the process of restorative justice. This article argues that importing an idea of forgiveness into political affairs is a mistake. It is not necessary for the promotion of peace and security, and it is has been construed in a way that leans heavily toward Christian conceptions of forgiveness, as is evident in the influence of Desmond Tutu. The article also examines the influence of Hegelian recognition theory in current discussions of the political benefits of forgiveness, and reviews the case of postwar German-Jewish relations, which conformed more closely to traditional Jewish thinking on forgiveness than to the Christian-Hegelian (multicultural) model.

Breaking the cycle of violence: The church as a space for dialogue towards restorative reconciliation, justice, and forgiveness in Naga society

“…There is a need for restorative justice. Restorative justice, according to Jean Cahan (2013), 'underscores the usefulness of a variety of gestures and policies which include truth commissions, statements of apology, restitution efforts of various kinds, and reparation payments as means of furthering reconciliation ' (p. 174). An example of such in recent memory is the United Nation's declaration of 1992 (the year commemorating 500 years since Columbus arrived in the Americas) as the Year of Indigenous People.…”