Transitional Justice

Ruti G. Teitel

ISBN 10: 0195151267 / ISBN 13: 9780195151268

Published by Oxford University Press Inc, US, 2002

About this Item

At the century's end, societies all over the world are throwing off the yoke of authoritarian rule and beginning to build democracies. At any such time of radical change, the question arises: should a society punish its ancien regime or let bygones be bygones? Transitional Justice takes this question to a new level with an interdisciplinary approach that challenges the very terms of the contemporary debate. Ruti Teitel explores the recurring dilemma of how regimes should respond to evil rule, arguing against the prevailing view favoring punishment, yet contending that the law nevertheless plays a profound role in periods of radical change. Pursuing a comparative and historical approach, she presents a compelling analysis of constitutional, legislative, and administrative responses to injustice following political upheaval. She proposes a new normative conception of justice--one that is highly politicized--offering glimmerings of the rule of law that, in her view, have become symbols of liberal transition. Its challenge to the prevailing assumptions about transitional periods makes this timely and provocative book essential reading for policymakers and scholars of revolution and new democracies.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780195151268

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Transitional Justice
• Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc, US
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195151267
• ISBN 13: 9780195151268
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: Revised ed.
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 23.47W x 16H x 2.13D centimeters 23.47 centimeters width by 16 centimeters height by 2.13 centimeters depth
• Weight: 437 grams

About this title

Synopsis

At the century's end, societies all over the world are throwing off the yoke of authoritarian rule and beginning to build democracies. At any such time of radical change, the question arises: should a society punish its ancien regime or let bygones be bygones? Transitional Justice takes this question to a new level with an interdisciplinary approach that challenges the very terms of the contemporary debate.

Ruti Teitel explores the recurring dilemma of how regimes should respond to evil rule, arguing against the prevailing view favoring punishment, yet contending that the law nevertheless plays a profound role in periods of radical change. Pursuing a comparative and historical approach, she presents a compelling analysis of constitutional, legislative, and administrative responses to injustice following political upheaval. She proposes a new normative conception of justice--one that is highly politicized--offering glimmerings of the rule of law that, in her view, have become symbols of liberal transition.

Its challenge to the prevailing assumptions about transitional periods makes this timely and provocative book essential reading for policymakers and scholars of revolution and new democracies.

About the Author

Ruti G. Teitel is at New York Law School.