ABSTRACT
Peacemaking criminology is a very recent theoretical orientation in which to consider the problems of crime and the criminal justice system. Its strengths include its positive view of humankind and its faith that individuals are capable of forgiveness and change. Its weaknesses are a result of its nascent development resulting in an incomplete and untested theoretical foundation. It will be argued in this chapter that the strengths outweigh the weaknesses and that as more scholars become familiar with peacemaking criminology, it will become a more important contributor to criminological theory. We begin with an overview of peacemaking criminology that links it to previous strains of critical theory. Next, there is a discussion of that practical or policy-oriented side of peacemaking criminology, restorative justice. Then we address several issues that critics have leveled at peacemaking criminology. Finally, in answering the critics, the promise and potential of peacemaking criminology are promoted.
