Mémoire des conflits, conflits de mémoires: une approche psychosociale et philosophique du rôle de la mémoire collective dans les processus de réconciliation intergroupe

Reconstructing the past is a crucial part of intergroup reconciliation processes because, after a conflict, collective memory undermines a great part of animosity, hatred, and distrust between groups. The di ficulty of managing memories rests on the triple challenge it has to face: allowing the recognition and healing of individual su ferings; preserving social identities of both groups; while allowing them to live together in peace. Hence, an improper management of collective memory could lead to the resurgence of conflict, or even to a cycle of revenge wherein past wounds justify present violence. In this paper, which will draw both from social psychology and from philosophy, we start by delineating the concept of collective memory and its relationships with social identity. Then we identify the processes through which collective memory of past conflicts is likely to impede reconciliation. Finally, we attempt to envision solutions through processes of transmission of memories both within and between social groups.