Determinants of the Success of National Reconciliation and the Challenges of Activating It in Achieving Political Stability

Abstract

This study examines national reconciliation as a fundamental mechanism for achieving political stability in post-conflict and post-crisis societies, through an analysis of its key success determinants and the challenges that hinder its effective implementation. The research is built upon a central question concerning the extent to which national reconciliation can move beyond political rhetoric toward an institutionalized practice capable of restoring social cohesion and stable governance. Relying on a descriptive-analytical approach, supported by critical and comparative methods, the paper explores the conceptual and normative foundations of national reconciliation and its organic linkage to transitional justice and societal trust-building processes. The study concludes that the success of national reconciliation is primarily conditioned by genuine political will, the existence of a comprehensive legal and institutional framework, and the adoption of an inclusive approach that integrates legal, political, and social dimensions. It also identifies major obstacles—most notably political polarization, weak public trust in institutions, and the disruptive impact of unregulated media discourse—which significantly undermine the effectiveness of reconciliation processes and obstruct the achievement of sustainable political stability.