Justice seeks restoration, not retaliation.

Justice Seeks Restoration, Not Retaliation

Category: Tsm’syen Law Page status: Working

Purpose

This page records the principle that justice within Tsm’syen law seeks restoration rather than retaliation. It clarifies that the goal of justice is to restore balance, relationships, and responsibility, not to inflict harm in response to harm.

This page is declarative and does not establish courts, penalties, or enforcement bodies.

Principle

Justice seeks restoration, not retaliation.

Meaning

• Justice responds to harm by repairing imbalance.
• Retaliation compounds harm rather than resolving it.
• Restoration focuses on healing relationships and obligations.

Restoration

• Restoration aims to repair harm to people, houses, clans, land, and relationships.
• Restoration includes acknowledgment, accountability, and corrective action.
• Success is measured by restored balance and trust.

Retaliation

• Retaliation seeks punishment rather than resolution.
• Retaliation escalates conflict and deepens division.
• Retaliation fails to restore balance or responsibility.

Responsibility

• Justice requires those responsible for harm to participate in restoration.
• Responsibility may be individual and collective.
• Accountability is directed toward repair, not vengeance.

Balance

• Balance is the guiding measure of justice.
• Responses to harm must be proportional and corrective.
• Justice is complete when balance is restored.

Limits

• Restoration does not excuse harm.
• Restoration does not eliminate accountability.
• Some harms require extended or ongoing restoration.

Cross References

• Harm Creates Imbalance
• Principles of Restorative Justice
• Responsibility Is Collective as Well as Individual
• Resolution Prioritizes Repair of Relationships
• Balance in Tsm’syen Law
• Ayaawx
• Adaawx

To Be Developed

• Examples of restorative outcomes
• Distinctions between restoration and punishment
• House- and clan-based restorative practices
• Source citations