Abstract
Conflict does not end when violence ceases. Societies faced with overcoming conflict are confronted with many obstacles in the long process of reconciliation as they move from cold war to warm peace. They have to bridge the divide of disparate collective memory while overcoming deep-rooted inter-group distrust. Disparate collective memories fuel the conflict by preserving hatred and distrust. We suggest that one step towards warm peace is the establishment of an overarching superordinate group memory, or Shared Collective Memory. Our paper introduces a theoretical reconciliation model that proposes three incremental reconciliation cycles to build a Shared Collective Memory through the parallel development of intergroup trust. It combines and expands on the existing conceptualizations of trust and of collective memory and provides a framework for future empirical research.
Highlights
IntroductionSocieties faced with overcoming conflict are confronted with many obstacles in the long process of reconciliation as they move from cold war to warm peace
Conflict does not end when violence ceases
How can groups overcome the barriers created by their collective memories and distrust? We propose that this development occurs in three reconciliation cycles, through which collective memories slowly change from exhibiting their dividing potential towards a Shared Collective Memory, which can bind groups together
Summary
Societies faced with overcoming conflict are confronted with many obstacles in the long process of reconciliation as they move from cold war to warm peace. They have to bridge the divide of disparate collective memory while overcoming deep-rooted inter-group distrust. Our paper introduces a theoretical reconciliation model that proposes three incremental reconciliation cycles to build a Shared Collective Memory through the parallel development of intergroup trust. Both Lederach and Staub suggest that to reach reconciliation, groups have to address and acknowledge the victimization and the atrocities committed in the past, while, at the same time, an outlook towards an interdependent future together must be provided (Lederach, 1997).
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