The Crucial Role of Love and Forgiveness

The Crucial Role of Love and Forgiveness
by Cat Meurn

A vast number of resources on love and forgiveness exist — ranging from self-help books on how to practice forgiveness in one's personal life, to sermons and workshops defining what love means and how to attract it. It seems that as human beings, we are consistently drawn towards the ideas of love and forgiveness, and it's no surprise that many recognize the crucial role that these elements play in their daily life. However, the extension of love and forgiveness into the realm of governance elucidates several debates and varying responses. Despite the complexity surrounding these two elements, there is a clear need — as well as a desire — for love and forgiveness to take a more prominent role among those in governance positions.

Definitional Complexity

The ideas of love and forgiveness seem to transcend the man-made divisions that exist in our world (including race, ethnicity, religion, class, and nationality). Although love and forgiveness are universal in nature, these two concepts are not always so clean-cut and neatly defined, nor so easy to put into practice. It's no surprise that we lack a consensual definition for either of them. Definitions offered by the numerous dictionaries are very broad and lack guidance around practical application. We can draw further definition from other sources, such as religious texts. However, this sometimes can lead to debate on the applicability and practicality of love and forgiveness within or outside of religious terms.

Over at least the past quarter-century, forgiveness has also engendered the interest of scholars and practitioners in such disparate fields as psychology, law, politics, international affairs, sociology, management, and philosophy. For example, the fields of medicine and psychology have offered some ideas (such as the assertion that the practice of love and forgiveness can make one healthier and live longer). Within the realm of literature, novels, poems, philosophical texts, and stories offer individual approaches and definitions of the concepts. Despite all of this, these definitions and rationalities for practicing love and forgiveness vary considerably from one person to another, and governance leaders are no exception. They, along with their constituents, can vary in their definitions of love and forgiveness as well. This can make it difficult for them to practically apply these concepts in their work.

(For more information and sources on the definitions of love and forgiveness in governance, click here).

Love and Forgiveness in Practice — The Debate

If, as a human collective, we are unable to reach a consensus on what it means to practice love and forgiveness, one can see right away that debates about its practicality and value are sure to emerge. The debate most pertinent to this project is on how love and forgiveness can fit into the world of governance, particularly with respect to which actions are forgivable and which are not. For instance, a study by the Fetzer Institute highlighted that:

Sixty-seven percent of Americans agree that the US population is composed of generally forgiving people, but 58% also agree that there are instances where people should never be forgiven. The unforgiveable instances are murder (41%), abuse or sexual crimes (26%), or any intentionally committed crime (22%), suggesting that most Americans focus on crimes against an individual as being unforgiveable. Additionally, 60% of Americans believe that forgiving someone would first depend on the offender apologizing and making changes.[1]

Traditionally, the word most often associated with forgiveness in governance is reconciliation. This has been seen in specific situations, such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of South Africa. The TRC offered victims of unspeakable atrocities during the apartheid era a chance to voice their stories. This brought about a debate on what it means to seek — and provide — justice for crimes that have been committed. As one author states, "How can there be reconciliation if gross human rights violators go free?"[2] He also points out, "people found intriguing the idea that a full inquiry into the recent past could facilitate reconciliation, rather than deepen already bitter divisions."[3]

As referenced above, debates surface concerning the concepts of justice or rule of law, particularly within the realm of governance. Many hold that it is the responsibility of the government to keep order and punish those who do not adhere to society's rules and regulations. This doesn't leave much room for the practice of love and forgiveness. But does focusing on reparations or traditional forms of justice lead to true healing and lasting peace?

An Increasingly Desired and Recognized Practice

These critiques do not provide a solid footing for the practical application of love and forgiveness in governance. Despite this, there is evidence that there exists a growing desire for their practice. For instance, in the same study by the Fetzer Institute, they highlighted that:

Sixty-eight percent of Americans agree (strongly or somewhat) that they need more meaningful love in their personal lives, and this number increases to 89% in their communities, 94% in America, and 95% in the world. Sixty-two percent of Americans agree (strongly or somewhat) that they need more forgiveness in their personal lives, and this number increases to 83% in their communities, 90% in America, and 90% in the world.[4]

This shows that although individuals desire more love and forgiveness in their personal lives, the number increases when referencing their local communities and the world at large. This type of study illustrates that people see another way in approaching each other and the problems we face on a local and global level. Not only is there an increasing desire to practice love and forgiveness within personal matters, but it extends to the community and global level as well.

Its Crucial Role in Governance

Not much work has been done in researching the crucial role that love and forgiveness can play in governance. However, this does not negate its importance, but rather points towards an area of potential that we may have only just begun to tap into. Returning to the case of South Africa, Nelson Mandela was able to galvanize an entire country towards the path of peace and reconciliation. This speaks to the power that one individual has, but also to the power of love and forgiveness within a society.

The intersection of love, forgiveness, and governance is where the work on our project comes into play. As our team researches exemplars in governance that have practiced love and forgiveness, we can begin to unearth its applicability at the community, regional, and global levels. Profiles of exemplars of love and forgiveness in governance can help enable people in governance positions to learn from successful practitioners for positive change in attitudes and actions. As we progress through this project, it is our hope that we can shed more light on the practical applications of love and forgiveness in governance, as well as success stories in which they have already made a difference.

 

[1] Fetzer Survey on Love and Forgiveness in American Society.

[2] Dyzenhaus, "Debating South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission."

[3] Ibid.

[4] Fetzer Survey on Love and Forgiveness in American Society.