Partial truth and reconciliation in the longue durée

Abstract

This paper argues that there are many possible sequences of truth, justice and reconciliation after conflict. Finding the apt path for a particular place and time requires peacebuilders to network across learning organisations that are responsive to local voices. Peacebuilding is construed as a craft of responsive governance. It requires patience and resilience because most peace initiatives fail, even though most successes are built on the foundation of prior failures. Data from the first 12 cases of the Peacebuilding Compared project are used to develop these themes that imply being oriented to what Susanne Karstedt calls the longue durée of peacebuilding.