Herausgeberin des Thementeils: Anke Graneß

Versöhnung und/oder Gerechtigkeit Einleitung

Redaktionelle Mitarbeit: Hannah Jakubowski (Abstracts: HJ)

THEMA

Franziska Dübgen

Grenzen der Vergebung

In her article, Franziska Dübgen explores the limits and contradictions of processes of reconciliation, distinctly focusing on the act of forgiveness from an ethical perspective. On the basis of theoretical and practical analyses of the Holocaust and Apartheid, she shows how reconciliation is embedded in economic and political power constellations and places particular emphasis on the extent to which a nuanced intercultural discourse on reconciliation should also address the right to not forgive. [HJ]

James Ogude und Unifier Dyer

Auf der Suche nach Gerechtigkeit und Versöhnung angesichts der Gewalt im Nachfeld der kenianischen Wahlen 2007

The authors of this article provide an overview of narratives in the context of the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007 and explore the question of which forms of justice and compensation could be considered effective. To this end, they draw on personal narratives from victims, perpetrators, political figures, and community leaders to shed light on their perspective on the conflict. James Ogude and Unifier Dyer bring the argument forward that it is vital for the restoration of community relationships to recognize the importance of indigenous forms of mediation. [HJ]

Josefina Echavarría Álvarez

Die Kunst des Social Healing in Kolumbien

What does peace mean in a country that has been ravaged by violence and war for decades? Josefina Echavarría Álvarez examines this question by using Colombia as an example and introduces the term Social Healing as a continuous process of conversation, convergence, and cooperation between all parties involved. Drawing on this term, she argues that Social Healing is possible in the midst of a conflict if we shift from the idea of peace in the singular sense to peace in the plural sense. [HJ]

Naoko Kumagai

Die Verbindung von Schuld und Verantwortung im Fall der Trostfrauen ("comfort women"). Für eine wirkliche Versöhnung zwischen Japan und Korea

Using the case of the “comfort women”, Naoko Kumagai explores why South Korea and Japan have not been able to achieve reconciliation to this date, while particularly paying attention to the difficult issue of Japan’s acknowledgment of guilt or wrongdoing. The case of the “comfort women” – young women that were taken to Japanese military camps during World War II and forced to provide sexual services to Japanese officers and soldiers – is used to illustrate the limits of forgiveness and the conditions for reconciliation while examining the question of what constitutes genuine remorse and which forms of restitution, actions, and gestures are necessary to obtain forgiveness. [HJ]

Ursula Baatz

Die hungrigen Geister nähren. Vom Samurai-Zen zu einem Zen der Versöhnung

In her article, Ursula Baatz draws attention to the largely overlooked aspect of militarism in Zen Buddhism. Drawing on the writings of the Japanese Zen master T.D. Suzuki, she shows that Buddhism can also be ideologically misused and instrumentalized. This perspective is then contrasted by the understanding of ‘engaged Buddhism’ to explore the reconciliatory potential of Buddhism. [HJ]

FORUM

James Garrison

Die Ästhetik der Macht. Ein Überblick
 

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