Introduction: Resources for Political Reconciliation

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on peace and reconciliation studies through its conceptual focus on "resources". It explores such resources in terms of philosophical and religious traditions; narratives of reconciliation, forgiveness, and related concepts; memory cultures and shared identities; existing or emerging economic cooperation; and democratic institutions. The book also focuses on the cultural, political and historical obstacles to reconciliation. Obstacles might include (geo)political advantages to cultivating an atmosphere of antagonism, or fear towards a neighbouring country. The book addresses the question of resources and obstacles as such, whether these arise from various philosophical and religious traditions or are situated in related conceptual frameworks such as "processes" and "models". It explains original historical accounts and political analyses of reconciliation in particular post-colonial, post-communist, post-reunification and other "past-burdened" relationships. The book offers examples of how resources for reconciliation have functioned within specific politico-cultural or historical settings.