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2022 | Buch

Forgiveness and Revenge Kapitel lesen Erstes Kapitel lesen

The Importance of Forgiveness and the Futility of Revenge

Case Studies in Contemporary International Politics

verfasst von: Dr. Audrey Wells

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : Contributions to International Relations

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

Forgiveness is important in international politics because it can save thousands of lives. Its opposite, vengefulness, has played a significant part in various wars of the 20th and 21st centuries. These conflicts are examined in this book, showing how forgiveness could have avoided the tremendous ensuing bloodshed.

Despite its importance, in the context of international relations, forgiveness as a means of preventing the outbreak of war (as opposed to facilitating reconciliation after conflicts) has largely been neglected as a subject of study. Indeed, it has also been ignored by politicians, as a result of which there are few examples of forgiveness to study compared with those of revenge. This book reflects this reality, but also seeks to change it by raising public awareness of the importance of forgiveness in international affairs and the need to demand that political leaders explore this avenue.

The book also provides a succinct, informative guide to the background of today’s international affairs. Each chapter can be read independently and highlights either forgiveness in action or the futility and loss of life caused by vengefulness, demonstrating where and how forgiveness could have made a dramatic difference.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Forgiveness and Revenge
Abstract
In 1940, at a meeting at Caxton Hall in London, an Indian drew a gun and shot dead one of the speakers on the platform. Udham Singh had killed Sir Michael O’ Dwyer in revenge for the massacre at Amritsar in 1919. Fortunately for Britain, Singh was not the leader of the Indian nationalist movement which was led by Mahatma Gandhi, who strongly deplored this act of vengeance [1]. Also, in 1940, another significant act of revenge took place for harm perpetrated in 1919, this time by the vindictive Versailles Treaty. Having invaded France, the Nazis forced the defeated French to sign an armistice in the very railway carriage where Germany had had to sign the armistice in 1918. Unfortunately for the whole world, the German Fuehrer, Adolf Hitler, was not a forgiving leader as was Gandhi.
Audrey Wells

Forgiveness Towards a Foreign Enemy and the Futility of Revenge

Frontmatter
Chapter 2. Robert Schuman, Forgiveness and the Founding of the EU
Abstract
After the Second World War, Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, wanted the French people to forgive the Germans for their aggression and not to make the same mistakes as they had committed with the vindictive Versailles Treaty in 1919. He was determined to find a way of ending the decades long cycle of vengeance between the two countries, which had resulted in a colossal loss of life.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 3. 9/11: The USA’S Revenge on Afghanistan
Abstract
After the Second World War, Robert Schuman, by overcoming the age-old cycle of revenge between Germany and France, showed what forgiveness could achieve.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 4. Iraq 2003: Deluded Revenge
Abstract
It was not only Afghanistan that suffered from the USA’s vengeful bombing for the 9/11 attack, but also Iraq, despite the fact that Saddam Hussein’s regime had absolutely nothing to do with the attack, nor with al-Qaeda, to which Saddam was strongly opposed. Deluded as to Saddam’s involvement, on 18 March 2003, President Bush authorised the invasion of Iraq as being consistent with the policy of the USA to take action against those who ‘aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001’ [1].
Audrey Wells
Chapter 5. Libya and the West: A Cycle of Revenge
Abstract
A lethal cycle of revenge between Libya and the West may well have resulted in the Lockerbie bombing and the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, which has led to bloody chaos in that country. If in the earlier stages of the retaliatory cycle there could have developed a more forgiving attitude by either side, accompanied with a referral of disputes to an international arbiter, the later colossal loss of life could have been avoided.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 6. USA and IRAN
Abstract
‘There will be severe revenge’, declared Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on learning that the USA had assassinated one of Iran’s most important and popular generals, Qasem Solemeini, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds force [1]. He was killed by an American drone strike while being driven from Baghdad airport on 3rd January 2020, together with four members of his entourage, including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of the Popular Mobilisation Forces and commander of the Kataib Hezbollah forces. The Ayatollah’s declaration demonstrated the difference between Islamic and Christian views of revenge. To Muslims, it is not something to be deprecated, but to Christians it certainly is. Western leaders, even though not Christian, would not dream of speaking openly of wanting revenge lest they be condemned for such a base motive due to the influence of Christianity’s emphasis on the importance of forgiveness. Nevertheless, President Trump, while not explicitly expressing a desire for revenge, did so implicitly when he vowed to hit 52 sites ‘very hard’ if Iran retaliated [2].
Audrey Wells
Chapter 7. Is America a Vengeful Democracy?
Abstract
In the last four chapters, I have endeavoured to show that the USA, although an avowedly Christian country, ‘united under God’ as it is often claimed, has been vengeful, not forgiving, reflective, or empathic in its foreign policy. Indeed, as will be shown, it has been classified as a ‘vengeful democracy’ not only because of its war record but also because it has another characteristic for that classification: the death penalty, which may be regarded as a form of revenge.
Audrey Wells

The West’s Unforgiving Responses to Russia and China

Frontmatter
Chapter 8. Russophobia: The Ukraine Conflict, the Skripal Affair
Abstract
Just as the age-long relationship of hatred and suspicion between France and Germany was ended by Robert Schuman’s bringing the two states together in a productive, economic community, so it should be possible for another great statesman or woman to conclude the centuries-old enmity between Russia and the West. Both sides could work together in an economic relationship in a spirit of mutual empathy and forgiveness for past wrongs. Had this happened earlier the violent unrest that broke out in Ukraine in 2014 could have been avoided. The West moreover could have co-operated with Russia to end the Syrian civil war expeditiously. The form of forgiveness towards Russia by the West that was needed did not involve restraining a desire for revenge, since that was not a major issue in this conflict. Rather what was required was a refusal to take punitive action against a state that genuinely believed itself to be threatened and adjusting the perceived threatening behaviour. As Hannah Arendt pointed out, punishment is an alternative to forgiveness although not its opposite [1].
Audrey Wells
Chapter 9. Belarus: Forgiveness; Russophobia Impedes Mediation
Abstract
At the time of writing, the crisis over the presidential election in Belarus has suddenly arisen. The outcome is uncertain, and this chapter will be short.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 10. Sinophobia
Abstract
The West has been unforgiving towards some of China’s policies without trying to excuse or understand the reasons behind them, or find alternative ways of viewing them, or reflecting on their own chequered histories. Indeed, such is the judgemental hostility of the West that some commentators speak of a new cold war with China. This might turn into a hot war with all its catastrophic consequences if Sinophobia is not checked.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 11. Political Vengeance Has Harmed China’s Development
Abstract
Like most dictators, Mao Zedong could not forgive criticism: this was the source of his undoing. Forgiveness of criticism is important in politics as it can prevent policies being implemented that can cause much avoidable suffering. Initially, however, Mao was dramatically successful in carrying out socio-economic reforms in China.
Audrey Wells

Forgiveness Between Ethnic Groups or to an Occupying Power

Frontmatter
Chapter 12. Mahatma Gandhi’s Rejection of Revenge
Abstract
I should like to begin this chapter with describing the act of revenge to which I referred briefly at the beginning of this book. It was a form of revenge that could have been multiplied many times over had not Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian people to oppose the British in a non-violent, non-vengeful way. Ironically his method was deeply influenced by Jesus Christ’s teaching although he did not describe himself as a Christian, whereas the British did call their country ‘Christian’ yet did not practise Christ’s teachings in their policies.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 13. Israel and the Palestinians: The Futility of Violent Revenge
Abstract
On 12 June 2014, three Israeli students at ‘yeshivas’ (religious schools) on the West Bank were kidnapped by some Palestinians who were not members of Hamas which was nevertheless blamed for the deaths. Some Israeli extremists promptly kidnapped and burned alive a Palestinian teenager in revenge, to the outrage of the Palestinians. Meanwhile, Israel, searching for the murderers of the three Israelis, arrested hundreds of Hamas officials in the West Bank and closed their offices. In Gaza, militants began firing rockets at Israel which, on 8th July, responded by launching ‘Operation Protective Edge’. This involved the disproportionate and indiscriminate shelling of buildings in Gaza including many private homes, as the Israeli Defence Force claimed that rockets were being fired from them or kept there.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 14. Forgiveness and the Irish Conflict
Abstract
By the end of the nineteenth century nationalism in Ireland had become widespread and violent in its attempts to throw off the oppressive English yoke. In the 1880s, the leader of the Liberal Party, William Gladstone, became convinced that Home Rule for Ireland was the only way forward. His policy split the Liberals but two Home Rule bills did pass the House of Commons, only to be defeated in the House of Lords. In 1912, Home Rule looked more likely as the powers of the House of Lords had been limited the year before, and the Liberal government needed the Irish Nationalists’ votes; but the outbreak of the First World War led to an agreement to postpone the matter until the end of the war.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 15. Nelson Mandela: Faith, Force, and Forgiveness
Abstract
Forgiveness between separate states which have been at war is clearly a different matter from that between two ethnic groups who have to live with each other in the same state after a conflict. Nelson Mandela showed how to avoid the bloodshed of revenge that is usually present in such a situation. His outstanding leadership of forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa after apartheid resulted in his becoming the most admired and loved political leader in the world. He wrote in his autobiography:
Audrey Wells

Forgiveness During or After Civil War

Frontmatter
Chapter 16. The Relevance of Forgiveness and Revenge to the Syrian Civil War
Abstract
The conflict in Syria, which began in 2011, has already lasted (at the time of writing) for a decade, causing about half a million deaths, including hundreds of thousands of civilians and displacing millions more as refugees. It began with a series of vengeful actions and could have been stopped by early forgiving and proportionate responses, but these were not forthcoming.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 17. Forgiveness After Civil War: Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Colombia and South Sudan
Abstract
When Yugoslavia collapsed into civil war in the 1990s, some of the different ethnic groups, which had co-existed peacefully for generations, committed atrocities against each other, often because rumours had reawakened ancient, deeply-rooted vendettas. The Serbs caused the most bloodshed. Afterwards there were attempts at forgiveness and reconciliation, but these came to nothing. However, as the warring peoples had by then (with the exception of Bosnia) formed themselves into separate states, there was not the danger of civil war breaking out.
Audrey Wells

Further Aspect of Forgiveness in Politics

Frontmatter
Chapter 18. A Leadership of Forgiveness
Abstract
Here I shall consider the concept of leadership of forgiveness. Such a leader will show by their actions and words that they are not vindictive, and they will be compassionate to wrongdoers and accept and, indeed, value criticism. They will be aware that everyone, including themselves, makes mistakes that should be dealt with sympathetically to discourage their concealment. A political leadership of forgiveness will also seek to understand, not punish, foreign hostility. In his study of transformational leaders, ‘The Art of Forgiveness: Differentiating Transformational Leaders’ Manfred FR Kets de Vries argues that:
Audrey Wells
Chapter 19. Political Apologies, Forgiveness and Reparations
Abstract
This book is primarily to show how forgiveness can stop wars from breaking out either by restraining a desire for revenge or by not being too harsh and judgemental. However, when atrocities have already been committed, there is usually later a need for apologies to enable forgiveness, or at least a lessening of hostile feelings, to take place. In such circumstances, a public apology by a national leader may facilitate such a process.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 20. The Limits of Forgiveness (1): Islamic Jihadism in Africa
Abstract
There are some situations in international politics where forgiveness seems irrelevant. At the time of writing (May 2021), it seems that Africa is becoming a fertile ground for Islamic jihadism, which does not value or warrant forgiveness.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 21. The Limits of Forgiveness (2): Myanmar Under the Generals
Abstract
Besides finding the right response to Islamic jihadism, the international community has today to face other situations where forgiveness seems irrelevant, as when a dictatorial power is killing unarmed protesting citizens. A dictatorship which has not improved the lives of most of its citizens, nor believes, however wrongly, that the use of force is necessary to preserve political stability, may warrant a different response from one which does. I have dealt with issue of the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 in chapter on China and in an earlier chapter considered the situation of Belarus. Each situation is different yet demands usually a response from the international community. Here I shall consider the case of Myanmar where, at the time of writing (May 2021), the military government is continuously shooting unarmed protesters. The junta’s aim is simply to stay in power and has not improved the lives of its citizens.
Audrey Wells
Chapter 22. The Forgiveness of Debts
Abstract
The word ‘forgiveness’ is often used to mean ‘cancellation’ in relating to debts. In the first chapter I referred to Hannah Arendt’s opinion that Jesus of Nazareth was the ‘discoverer’ of the role of forgiveness in human affairs [1]. There has been much debate as to whether Jesus spoke in Aramaic or Hebrew. If, as seems likely, it was the former, then the words in the Lord’s Prayer, ‘Forgive us our trespasses (or sins) as we forgive those that trespass against us’, can also be translated as ‘Forgive us our debts’ as the Aramaic word for trespass or sin had connotations of debt. This did not only have the meaning of financial obligation but also a wider sense of what is owed to us and what we owe to others. Indeed, Presbyterian churches do pray ‘Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors’. In this chapter, however, I shall be using the term ‘debts’ in the narrower financial sense and arguing that, particularly where irresponsible lending is involved, they should be forgiven.
Audrey Wells
Backmatter
Metadaten
Titel
The Importance of Forgiveness and the Futility of Revenge
verfasst von
Dr. Audrey Wells
Copyright-Jahr
2022
Electronic ISBN
978-3-030-87552-7
Print ISBN
978-3-030-87551-0
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87552-7

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