This book brings together a selection of papers originally presented and discussed at the fourth international restorative justice conference, held at the University of Tbingen. The contributors include many of the leading authorities in the field of restorative justice, and they provide a comprehensive review of the theoretical foundations underlying this rapidly expanding movement. Restorative Justice: Theoretical foundations addresses a wide range of fundamental questions about restorative justice, considering amongst other things ways in which conceptual pitfalls can be avoided, and how t. Read more... Restorative Justice: Theoretical Foundations; Copyright Page; Contents; List of figures and tables; Notes on contributors; Preface; 1 The shape of things to come: a framework for thinking about a restorative justice system; 2 Journey to belonging; 3 Restorative justice and the politics of decolonization; 4 Justified criticism, misunderstanding, or important steps on the road to acceptance?; 5 From community to dominion: in search of social values for restorative justice; 6 Deconstructing restoration: the promise of restorative justice; 7 Restorative justice theory validation. 8 Restorative justice and the future of diversion and informal social control9 Restorative conferencing for juveniles in the United States: prevalence, process, and practice; 10 Restorative justice for children: in need of procedural safeguards and standards; 11 From the 'sword' to dialogue: towards a 'dialectic' basis for penal mediation; 12 Punishment, guilt, and spirit in restorative justice: an essay in legal and religious