Back to RJ Archive

The Future of the Peacemaking Perspective.

Whitehead, John T
June 4, 2015

Source: (2008) In, John F. Wozniak, et. al, editors. Transformative Justice: Critical and Peacemaking Themes Influenced by Richard Quinney. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. pp. 231-250.

Peacemaking represents one recent development in criminology. This paper is an effort to assess the current status of peacemaking as a paradigm and make some comments about the directions it will take in the next decade. One area of concern is the relationship of peacemaking to secular humanism.Specifically, the paper will look at the writings of Fromm, Marx, and Habermas in an effort to offer secular alternatives to the typical ancient religious traditions as sources of peacemaking principles. The paper also raises the issue of whether peacemaking should offer specific ethical guidelines or just general foundational principles such as mindfulness, caring, and connectedness. A related issue is the balance between the individual and the socio-cultural. Relying on Parsons, this sections specifies each peacemaking principle at a specific analytic level. The paper also explores some apparent problems with capitalism. The writings of both Quinney and Catholic social justice advocates are examined in order to clarify peacemaking’s stance concerning capitalism. (author’s abstract)

Tags:

Abstract
Support the cause

We've Been Restoring Justice for More Than 40 Years

Your donation helps Prison Fellowship International repair the harm caused by crime by emphasizing accountability, forgiveness, and making amends for prisoners and those affected by their actions. When victims, offenders, and community members meet to decide how to do that, the results are transformational.

Donate Now