Reconciliation 10 years after the agreement: Applicability of Johan Galtung ́s reconciliation concept in Colombia
Abstract
According to Johan Galtung, the concept of reconciliation emerges as a central element in overcoming cultural violence. According to the Norwegian author, reconciliation is understood as the process of rehabilitating cultural attitudes that deny the possibility of direct or structural violence. Galtung proposes that the ideal approach is to reach a shared understanding of the harm caused in order to overcome it without resorting to violence. In this article, we propose a significant update to this approach based on a critical examination of the concept of reconciliation. Reconciliation is presented as a complex process, where the search for a homogeneous value system is not only unfeasible but also undesirable. The text presents the current reconciliation process in Colombia and its mismatch with Johan Galtung’s theories. This mismatch therefore requires a reevaluation of reconciliation approaches for their application in the current Colombian context.
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