Reconciliation, described as coming to terms with the past, is considered an important component of normalization and development in post-conflict societies. The international community and some political elites promote it as a desired approach to (re)establishing trust and cooperation, ideally leading to clean slate situation, which might be possible only if all sides are fully committed to the process and unconditionally accept its outcomes. Reality, however, is often different. Exploring concepts, practices and experiences in the Balkans and South Africa the contribution studies successes, problems and failures of reconciliation. It attempts to rethink and re-conceptualize reconciliation and develop alternative approaches.
Author Bio(s)
Mitja Žagar is Research Councilor at the Institute for Ethnic Studies and Full Professor at the Universities of Ljubljana and Primorska/Litoral. He is a jurist and political scientist, who specializes in: Comparative Constitutional Law, Comparative Politics and Government, International Law, Human Rights, International Relations, Ethnic Studies, Diversity Management, Peace and Conflict Studies. His research, writing and lecturing (in Slovenia and worldwide) have focused on international law and minority protection, comparative constitutional law and comparative politics and government, transition, democratic reforms, federalism, ethnic relations and diversity management— particularly in Eastern and South Eastern Europe (the Balkans), but also in other regions and globally. Email: mitja.zagar@guest.arnes.si
Keywords
Balkans, diversity management, post-conflict societies, reconciliation, South Africa, trust and cooperation
Publication Date
5-2010
DOI
10.46743/1082-7307/2010.1114
Recommended Citation
Žagar, Mitja
(2010)
"Rethinking Reconciliation: The Lessons from the Balkans and South Africa,"
Peace and Conflict Studies: Vol. 17:
No.
1, Article 5.
DOI: 10.46743/1082-7307/2010.1114
Available at:
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/pcs/vol17/iss1/5
