Significance of reconciliation in the relational approach to conflict resolution

Importance of building and rebuilding relations between different actors of international politics, from the level of individuals and the smallest social groups to those biggest ones organized in the form of states, has recently become the object of more extended research in the area of both diplomacy and conflict resolution. Along with the well-known and thoroughly analyzed notions such as power, interests, freedoms, norms and many other some new concepts resulting from the evolving nature of international politics are included into political discourse. One of them is reconciliation meaning the rebuilding of relations both at internal and international level. Another interesting example is the relational approach to conflict resolution which can be perceived as the proposal situating itself between two most traditional approaches in the area of international relations namely the realist and the liberal schools. While the realist approach is criticized for not paying enough attention to non-state actors and their role in conflct resolution, the liberal one is perceived as too much oriented into the issues of individual freedoms and institutions and lack of relational „community thinking”. Relational approach which is discussed by increasing number of experts in the area of con{ ict resolution points out the necessity of focusing on the interactions between di erent actors of international relations or more precisely transformation of these relations in such a way that the con{ ict between them is not only settled but truly resolved. Such a transformation is also connected with deeper change in the approach to politics itself meaning fuller inclusion of citizens and their initiatives which are necessary in the process of moving from signing peace agreement to building lasting peace. The article discusses the scope and contents of relational approach and reconciliation stating that reconciliation is both a fundamental aim and instrument of conflict resolution