The author describes several seminars where he witnessed this type of exchange between adversaries. Accepting responsibility, contrition, and forgiveness. The author presents examples that demonstrate the importance of historical analysis, including sharing of grievances and their recognition by the opponents, for encouraging transformation in the parties' relationships. He draws the conclusion that in political conflict resolution, the act of unilateral forgiveness does not constitute transformation. There should be a reciprocal process of acknowledgment of injustices committed and forgiveness through dialogue between the adversaries.
Transformation also requires negotiations on the future relationships of the former enemies.
They usually involve victims and aggressors who review their history and take responsibility and apologize for past injustices. Montville offers a few of such examples that involved French and Germans, Germans and Poles, Russians and Poles, and Jews and Poles. Transforming public consciousness. Values and beliefs rooted in the history of parties' relationships and reinforced by a sense of victimization are resistant to change. But empirical evidence shows that new information from reliable sources can alter the parties' beliefs, even if this information contradicts past perceptions.