Theorizing Post-Conflict Reconciliation

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The elements of politicalreconciliation

Ernesto Verdeja

When the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina ended in 1995, the newborn country was in tatters. The conflict had killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed historical landmarks, ravaged cities like Sarajevo and Mostar, and resulted in the violent displacement of civilians through policies of terror and massacre. In the aftermath, the so-called international community, aware that it had failed in intervening to end the bloodshed or protect civilians, became heavily involved in the reconstruction of the country. The ensuing decade and a half has seen a remarkable and often strained attempt at creating a democracy through international fiat. However, the strategies of reconstruction and peacebuilding ...