Passive Healing of the Aftermath of Intractable Conflicts

International Journal of Peace Studies, 14 (1), 39-60, 2009

22 Pages Posted: 3 Feb 2013 Last revised: 13 Feb 2017

Date Written: 2009

Abstract

Present research views the reconciliation process as the central method for addressing the destructive psychological aftermath of conflicts. This reconciliation process has an active aspect, as it comprises deliberate steps aimed at improving the relations between the conflicting parties (e.g., truth commissions, apology, or reparations). This paper proposes an additional process for addressing this aftermath, the passive healing one. In this latter process, the psychological fallout of conflict is addressed through cooperation for utilitarian purposes, without an aim to improve the relations between the parties. Various aspects of this latter process are described, analyzed and exemplified, including types of cooperation (permanent vs. ad hoc, direct vs. indirect, and post-conflict vs. pre-resolution cooperation), how cooperation positively influences the parties and their relations, which main conditions facilitate the initiation of the passive healing process, and the relationship between the reconciliation process and the passive healing one.

Email the author at: rafi.nets@gmail.com

Keywords: reconciliaiton, healing, intractable conflicts

Suggested Citation

Nets-Zehngut, Rafi, Passive Healing of the Aftermath of Intractable Conflicts (2009). International Journal of Peace Studies, 14 (1), 39-60, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2210889

Rafi Nets-Zehngut (Contact Author)

Hebrew University of Jerusalem ( email )

Israel

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