The Place of Paradox Lederach argues for an appreciation of the place of paradox in peacemaking. First Lederach describes the tension between the pursuit of personal transformation or systemic transformation. He argues that there are not exclusive options. Instead, they are interdependent. Systemic transformation facilitates personal transformation.
Personal transformation promotes systemic transformation.
Both must be pursued together to produce real social change. Similarly, the demands of justice and mercy are often felt to be in tension with each other. Justice requires building and rebuilding just communities. Communities are united by ties of trust, compassion and mercy. And so justice requires mercy.