engleski

How formerly belligerent groups construct meanings of intergroup apology and forgiveness? A qualitative study

Official apologies in post-conflict societies have over the past few decades become a social norm in dealing with past injustices. Although it is held that apology contributes to social reconciliation and amends the past so it does not serve as an obstacle for peaceful intergroup relations, research of local understandings of the significance of apology in everyday life remains scarce. The aim of this paper is to explore different understandings and perceived modes of apology that are possible among members of the local post-war communities. The paper is based on 11 focus groups discussions undertook in Vukovar and Knin, two ethnically divided Croatian cities with different war histories. In each city groups of Serbs and Croats - the post-war youth, war victims, and people with no personal losses - discussed their perspectives of intergroup apology and forgiveness. Additionally 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted in both cities with Serbs and Croats who actively fought in the war on competing sides. The analysis focuses on the participants’ understandings of the meaning and performing apology, i.e. who should apologize and how, is it possible to apologize in the name of an ethnic group, are there any conditions to be met before the apology can be given or accepted, what are the preferred modes of apology in different communities and among different groups, and what is the relationship between apology and forgiveness. The results will be discussed by unfolding the meanings of intergroup apology and forgiveness in everyday life of the formerly belligerent groups.

Collective apology ; divided community ; reconciliation

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