Words on words

Abstract

For the launch of Restorative Justice: an International Journal a unique symposium has been organised. One of the most inspiring figures in the restorative justice movement, Nils Christie, accepted an invitation to reflect on some of the 'common' concepts in the field. More than three decades after the publication of the now classic Conflicts as Property, Christie comments in a critical and quite provocative way on the names of the ?babies? - 'because names are important: names influence action, create expectations, and sometimes hide realities'. The concepts of 'justice', 'restoration', 'reconciliation', 'victim', 'offender', ... pass the review. Ten established scholars from different parts of the world and traditions react to Christie's Words on words. They elaborate on his ideas, debate, contradict them, resonating important evolutions in current thinking and practice of restorative justice worldwide.