Integrative Summary on Apology and Forgiveness

Abstract

This chapter focused on implicit theories regarding political apologies. Political apologies differ from individual apologies in that they generally are concerned not only with wrongful acts but also with a distinct political quality of wrongful acts committed under the mantel of the nation. Participants from Western Europe, Russia and the Balkan Peninsula, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, South and Southeast Asia, East Asia, and the UK/Anglo regions gave qualitative responses regarding the effectiveness of one nation’s apology for reconciliation between two countries, as well as what actions would need to be taken to achieve true reconciliation. Overwhelmingly, participants across all regions – developed versus developing country, Eastern versus Western, or colonized versus colonizer – stated that an apology could help the reconciliation process in one way or another. Participants in South and Southeast Asia, Africa, East Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East offered frequent responses indicating an apology could lead to reconciliation, while Africa and the UK/Anglo regions indicated an apology could lead to healing. The most frequent responses from Russia and the Balkans, East Asia, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa said an apology was a necessary component of reconciliation. In regard to the steps that were needed to make an apology effective, a high proportion of response (84–97 %) indicated that reconciliation is achievable following an apology if certain steps are taken. For instance, participants from East Asia and Western Europe noted that the sincerity of the apology was most important. Africa and Russia and the Balkans had more responses indicating that recognition of wrongdoing was important, while the Middle East and Russia and the Balkans had frequent responses favoring a state sanctioned diplomatic response or treaty. Interestingly, Africa and South and Southeast Asia were most in favor of monetary aid as a step toward reconciliation, perhaps reflecting the more recent experiences of those countries with colonization, war/conflict, and widespread poverty.