Forgiveness in Peacebuilding: What is it, and does it work?

Abstract

This thesis is an investigation into the socioemotional apology-forgiveness cycle, specifically the role of forgiveness in pre-peace agreement peacebuilding. Using an epistemological approach of narrative inquiry into disqualified subjugated knowledge (Foucault, 1980), local Israeli and Palestinian narratives together with survey responses, are used to examine alternative offense-related responses to forgiveness, barriers to forgiveness and antecedents of successful forgiveness. Research findings reveal both the models’ shortcomings and benefits, as well as the importance of using local knowledge in academic peace and conflict research. The main findings of this research are first, that alternatives to the apology-forgiveness cycle fulfil the socioemotional needs of the victim and perpetrator unilaterally, but are not conducive to a bilateral goal such as reconcilation. Second, conflict specific conditions such as demonisation of alternative in-group voices, unequal contact, and conditional forgiveness can act as barriers to socioemotional reconciliation. Third, when defined as a decision to give up a justifiable right to revenge, successful forgiveness commonly entails human contact, narrative and shared goals.