Reconciliation by Stealth: How People Talk about War Crimes

Reconciliation by Stealth is a novel approach to evaluating the effects of transitional justice in postconflict societies,which suggests that it is possible to reconcile through reasoned, respectful, and empathetic deliberation about a difficult legacy. It brings together theories of democratic deliberation and peacebuilding to demonstrate how people from opposing ethnic groups can reconcile through good-quality deliberation about a difficult legacy, forging bonds of solidarity and offsetting divisive identity politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Reconciliation by Stealth: A Novel Approach to Evaluating the Effects of Transitional Justice in Postconflict Societies

Reconciliation by Stealth, a groundbreaking work by Denisa Kostovicova, delves into a novel approach to evaluating the effects of transitional justice in postconflict societies. Through her examination of the Balkan conflicts, Kostovicova explores the critical question of what transpires when former adversaries engage in discussions about the legacies of violence and atrocity. She raises the intriguing possibility of achieving reconciliation without further exacerbating animosities.

Reconciliation by Stealth shifts our focus from the mere articulation of opinions about war crimes to the intricate process of deliberation. Kostovicova integrates theories of democratic deliberation and peacebuilding to demonstrate how individuals from opposing ethnic groups can reconcile through reasoned, respectful, and empathetic deliberation about a challenging legacy. She reveals that the expression of ethnic difference contributes to the quality of deliberation across ethnic lines, while the revelation of intraethnic divisions fosters the expansion of moral horizons previously constrained by conflict. Through this process, individuals forge bonds of solidarity and counteract divisive identity politics that influence their deliberations.

Reconciliation by Stealth offers valuable insights into the importance of theoretical and methodological innovation in capturing how transitional justice can promote reconciliation. It underscores the untapped potential of deliberative problem-solving to repair relationships fractured by conflict. This book is made accessible to a broader audience through generous funding from the London School of Economic and Political Science. The ebook editions of this book are available as Open Access volumes from Cornell Open (cornellpress.cornell.edu/cornell-open) and other repositories, ensuring widespread dissemination and engagement with its insightful arguments.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501769030