Peacebuilding, Structural Violence & Spatial Reparations in Post-Colonial South Africa

Forde, Susan; Kappler, Stefanie; Björkdahl, Annika

Abstract

Traditionally, peacebuilding approaches have placed emphasis on the restoration of political relationships as well as more symbolic notions of community reconciliation and dialogue, resulting in limited attention to the material causes of violence. One example of this is South Africa, wherein the historical structural economic violence of the unequal distribution of resources has been maintained, and after the formal end of apartheid, a lack of equitable distribution of resources is ongoing. This article conceptually and empirically argues that distributive justice and spatial reparations are a way of compensating those affected by structural economic violence and addressing structural inequalities. Reparations should be considered as mechanisms to support readjustment of the socio-economic causes and consequences of violence and war in conjunction with long-term projects promoting social justice.

Citation

Forde, S., Kappler, S., & Björkdahl, A. (2021). Peacebuilding, Structural Violence & Spatial Reparations in Post-Colonial South Africa. Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, 15(3), 327-346. https://doi.org/10.1080/17502977.2021.1909297

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 22, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Apr 22, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Mar 23, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 26, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding
• Print ISSN: 1750-2977
• Electronic ISSN: 1750-2985
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 327-346
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17502977.2021.1909297
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1250851