Conclusion: From Conflict Resolution to Reconciliation

In a broad sense, reconciliation can be defined as the creation of ‘normal’ and, ideally, ‘good’ relationships after grave violent incidents. In the political sphere, such incidents encompass wars, civil wars, genocides, mass atrocities, dictatorship, torture, land grabs, forced displacement, enslavement, exploitation, sexualized violence, colonialism, apartheid, or other egregious human rights abuses. This working definition serves as a starting point. However, the claim that reconciliation is an alternative approach to ‘conflict resolution’ has been challenged by at least four different positions. In this chapter, I will outline these four positions and explain why I cannot espouse them. I will then provide a brief overview of how reconciliation can work as a new approach to conflict resolution and how reconciliation studies are evolving.