In this provocative book, the authors argue that the core religious value of forgiveness can play a real, strategic role in the arena of international conflict and diplomacy. (20041206)
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"Easy to recommend and worth the efforts of many dedicated people to implement are the informed, thoughtful, and practicable ideas in 'Forgiveness in International Politics: An Alternative Road to Peace.'" (Rev. Philip C. Fischer, S.J. Review for Religious )
"This extremely useful book brings together the major conclusions of seven years of conferences on forgiveness sponsored by Washington's Woodstock Theological Center held in collaboration with the Office of International Justice and Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops...The participants were leading figures and decision makers who had worked on the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, and South Africa, the principal case studies. The first value of the book, then, is that it summarizes and provides a concise record of this excellent dialogue for those of us without the time to read the complete transcripts. The entire book can be read in a couple of hours, making it a perfect synthesis for international relations practitioners...From this reader's perspective, the author's key insight is that forgiveness is not an isolated personal event, but a social process...this is not a simple recipe book to be applied mechanically, but a call to deeper wisdom in international negotiations. My secondary emphasis would be on the book's superb treatment of the significance of moral turth and of memory in the process." (Eric O. Hanson America Magazine )
"...the thesis of 'Forgiveness in International Politics' is hardly known at all, much less accepted. It is that, with the right actors doing the right things, forgivenes and reconciliation are a viable formula for conflict resolution without violence...It's no mystery why South Africa is the chief real-life example in the Bole-Christiansen-Hennemeyer book. There aren't that many others. Northern Ireland, perhaps, which has been creeping toward Protestant-Catholic peace for years but isn't there yet. A handful of other places -- possibly. Pickings otherwise are slim...Why did the formula work in South Africa? Exceptional leaders had everything to do with it: Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, certain white politicians who, whatever their faults, recognized that apartheid's day had passed. These people had the moral imagination to make reconciliation work." (Russell Shaw The Catholic Herald )
"The central idea of Forgiveness in International Politics is that a process of forgiveness can and should be substituted for revenge. Forgiveness is commonly thought of as a local action. The authors propose that it be universalized and made a step in conflict management between hostility and settlement. Forgiveness in International Politics is the culmination of seven years of thought, dialog, and revision. Reading it leaves no doubt of those seven years of work: the central topic is exhausted on its pages. All of the libraries listed on OCLC as owing Forgiveness in International Politics are libraries of religious institutes; and all such libraries, regardless of religious affiliation, ought to acquire this book. Other potential buyers are non-governmental organizations concerned with peace efforts, university libraries having United Nations publications collections, and libraries of colleges offering courses in political science, international affairs, or conflict management." (Edward Grosek Catholic Library World )
"In it the others draw deeply upon both theoretical research (Douglas Johnston, Donald Shriver, and Olga Botcharova are three names that appear often) and practical experience in conflict resolution and international relations to make a convincing case for why "societal forgiveness" in political diplomacy is not merely a moral or religious ideal but also a pragmatic strategic consideration of global realities in the post-Cold War world...The authors give a sober but hopeful analysis of the difficulties in translating the therapeutic dimension of interpersonal forgiveness into collective communal and political expressions. They take pains to point out that "social forgiveness" is not a single action but a complex and often difficult process involving four distinct elements...acknowledgment of the truth, empathy, forbearance of revenge, and a commitment to repair fractured relationships. They also wrestle with other difficult issues like Who can legitimately speak for a community? Who can apologize on its behalf? Who can forgive? How does forgiveness relate to punishment? In what ways can amnesty both help and hurt the cause of forgiveness? Forgiveness in International Politicsis a refreshing reminder that a truly effective Realpolitk must be based upon a true understanding of human nature, in which human beings are not simply individualistic utility maximizers but are complex persons who long for truth, meaning, community, and transcendence." (Nathan Schlueter Cistercian Studies Quarterly )
"The book will provide a relevant insight to all those interested in deepening on the possibilities of forgivenvess at international politics...aims at gleaning lessons relating to forgiveness from and for the field of conflict-resolution and of peace-building. The authors' reflections are based on philosophical, theological and political considerations as well as on lessons learned from concrete situations, for example South Africa, the Balkans and Northern Ireland. While stressing the importance of forgiveness, the authors pay special attention to other aspects such as truth-telling, justice, the healing of memories and victims' rights." (Guillermo Kerber The Ecumenical Review )
"This extremely useful book brings together the major conclusions of seven years of conferences on forgiveness sponsored by Washington's Woodstock Theological Center held in collaboration with the Office of International Justice and Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops...The participants were leading figures and decision makers who had worked on the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, and South Africa, the principal case studies. The first value of the book, then, is that it summarizes and provides a concise record of this excellent dialogue for those of us without the time to read the complete transcripts. The entire book can be read in a couple of hours, making it a perfect synthesis for international relations practitioners...From this reader's perspective, the author's key insight is that forgiveness is not an isolated personal event, but a social process...this is not a simple recipe book to be applied mechanically, but a call to deeper wisdom in international negotiations. My secondary emphasis would be on the book's superb treatment of the significance of moral turth and of memory in the process." (Eric O. Hanson America Magazine )
"...the thesis of 'Forgiveness in International Politics' is hardly known at all, much less accepted. It is that, with the right actors doing the right things, forgivenes and reconciliation are a viable formula for conflict resolution without violence...It's no mystery why South Africa is the chief real-life example in the Bole-Christiansen-Hennemeyer book. There aren't that many others. Northern Ireland, perhaps, which has been creeping toward Protestant-Catholic peace for years but isn't there yet. A handful of other places -- possibly. Pickings otherwise are slim...Why did the formula work in South Africa? Exceptional leaders had everything to do with it: Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, certain white politicians who, whatever their faults, recognized that apartheid's day had passed. These people had the moral imagination to make reconciliation work." (Russell Shaw The Catholic Herald )
"The central idea of Forgiveness in International Politics is that a process of forgiveness can and should be substituted for revenge. Forgiveness is commonly thought of as a local action. The authors propose that it be universalized and made a step in conflict management between hostility and settlement. Forgiveness in International Politics is the culmination of seven years of thought, dialog, and revision. Reading it leaves no doubt of those seven years of work: the central topic is exhausted on its pages. All of the libraries listed on OCLC as owing Forgiveness in International Politics are libraries of religious institutes; and all such libraries, regardless of religious affiliation, ought to acquire this book. Other potential buyers are non-governmental organizations concerned with peace efforts, university libraries having United Nations publications collections, and libraries of colleges offering courses in political science, international affairs, or conflict management." (Edward Grosek Catholic Library World )
"In it the others draw deeply upon both theoretical research (Douglas Johnston, Donald Shriver, and Olga Botcharova are three names that appear often) and practical experience in conflict resolution and international relations to make a convincing case for why "societal forgiveness" in political diplomacy is not merely a moral or religious ideal but also a pragmatic strategic consideration of global realities in the post-Cold War world...The authors give a sober but hopeful analysis of the difficulties in translating the therapeutic dimension of interpersonal forgiveness into collective communal and political expressions. They take pains to point out that "social forgiveness" is not a single action but a complex and often difficult process involving four distinct elements...acknowledgment of the truth, empathy, forbearance of revenge, and a commitment to repair fractured relationships. They also wrestle with other difficult issues like Who can legitimately speak for a community? Who can apologize on its behalf? Who can forgive? How does forgiveness relate to punishment? In what ways can amnesty both help and hurt the cause of forgiveness? Forgiveness in International Politicsis a refreshing reminder that a truly effective Realpolitk must be based upon a true understanding of human nature, in which human beings are not simply individualistic utility maximizers but are complex persons who long for truth, meaning, community, and transcendence." (Nathan Schlueter Cistercian Studies Quarterly )
"The book will provide a relevant insight to all those interested in deepening on the possibilities of forgivenvess at international politics...aims at gleaning lessons relating to forgiveness from and for the field of conflict-resolution and of peace-building. The authors' reflections are based on philosophical, theological and political considerations as well as on lessons learned from concrete situations, for example South Africa, the Balkans and Northern Ireland. While stressing the importance of forgiveness, the authors pay special attention to other aspects such as truth-telling, justice, the healing of memories and victims' rights." (Guillermo Kerber The Ecumenical Review )
From the Back Cover
Forgiveness in International Politics-An Alternative Road to Peace Drawing from three case studies-Northern Ireland, Bosnia, and the truth commissions in South Africa-this unique book explores the important role of forgiveness in conflict resolution and peace. "Timely and it is timeless, the message of Forgiveness in International Politics is more needed than ever at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Hennemeyer, Christiansen and Bole make such a convincing case that the surest path to peace is through forgiveness that one dares to hope their words will inspire many others to have the courage to set out upon that path." Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard University President, Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences "In taking the concept of forgiveness to a deeper level, this book opens new vistas in the practice of international politics. . . . The authors have done a masterful job in addressing the operational implications of this powerful tool." Douglas M. Johnston President, International Center for Religion & Diplomacy "For the healing of vast wrongs that we humans commit against each other, forgiveness is a journey from death to life. This clearly written, realistic, hopeful book will speed any reader on that journey. I am honored to have been a contributor to the work of its authors." Donald W. Shriver, Jr. President Emeritus, Union Theological Seminary in New York To order this resource or to obtain a catalog of other USCCB titles, call toll-free 800-235-8722. In the Washington metropolitan area or from outside the United States, call 202-722-8716. Visit the bishops' Internet site at www.usccb.org. Para pedidos en espanol, llame al 800-235-8722 y presione 4 para hablar con un representante del servicio al cliente en espanol. [USCCB Logo] Publication No. 5-574 USCCB Publishing Washington, D.C. ISBN 1-57455-574-X [bar code] (20050101)
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