On the radio show Speaking of Faith this past week there was an interesting discussion with Yale theologian Miroslav Volf on the topic of Christianity and violence. During this wide ranging discussion on religious extremism and conflict in the world today, Volf argues that the solution lies not in secular rejection of religion, but in the stronger and more intelligent practices of religous faith. He spoke forcefully about the Christian doctrine of forgiveness and argued that the Christian religion always sought while defending oneself to also befriend one’s enemy. Volf cited the work of Hannah Arendt on politics and forgiveness.
During the earlier years of post-communism I thought about this issue and the question of post-communist justice. Lustration laws, the opening up of secret police files, restitution for stolen property, etc. were all topics of practical policy. How far back should we go to correct past imperfects? My colleague Tyler Cowen has addressed this issue in an article in Philosophy and Public Affairs and I discuss it in my Why Perestroika Failed.
It is my conjecture that the more preoccupied a country is with the business of righting past wrongs in the name of justice the less likely the hard choices will be made to create the political and legal framework required to cultivate freedom and prosperity in the future.