Transitional Justice as Liberal Narrative

Abstract

In recent decades, societies in much of the world – Latin America, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa – have been engaged in transition: postcolonial changes, and the overthrowing of military dictatorships and totalitarian regimes in favor of greater freedom and democracy. In these times of massive political movement away from illiberal rule, the burning question recurs: how should societies deal with their evil pasts? What, if any, is the relation between a state’s response to its repressive past and its prospects for creating a liberal order?