[PRI]"Everyday Reconciliation in Cambodia and South Korea:Exploring the applicability of functional coexistence and agonistic pluralism"

"Everyday Reconciliation in Cambodia and South Korea:Exploring the applicability of functional coexistence and agonistic pluralism"

Presenter: Dr. Sung Yong Lee (Soka University)
Date: May 29 (Wed.)
Time: 15:10-17:40
Place: SH-N205 (Science Hall Building in ICU)
Please register from the URL below. 
https://forms.gle/wqN4UH8qfrfC9LEd7

Abstract:  

This talk critically reviews two sets of theoretical frameworks that have garnered increased attention in academic debates on peacebuilding: functional coexistence and agonistic pluralism. It will then attempt to apply them to examine two examples of post-violence social reconciliation in Cambodia and South Korea, respectively. Specifically, it will first examine how former Khmer Rouge (KR) leaders and the victims of the Khmer Rouge’s violence maintained functional coexistence at the local community level in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia. Based on the empirical findings from the analysis, it will discuss the role of functional coexistence in fostering human interactions, through which community members could learn about the complex and multi-dimensional histories and identities of individual Khmer Rouge leaders. Secondly, this talk will introduce a recent academic effort to apply the concept of ‘agonistic pluralism’ to the analysis of post-conflict reconciliation processes. The case study of South Korea will be incorporated into this examination to present the potential utilities of the framework as well as its underlying limitations. From a broad perspective, through the analysis, this talk will revisit a prevalent notion in contemporary academic debates on peacebuilding, which tends to lean towards a liberal and institution-oriented direction.

Please feel free to contact us at icupri@icu.ac.jp if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!