Book Review: Truth v. Justice: The Morality of the Truth Commissions
For societies emerging from an oppressive and a violent past to a more democratic political order, it has become relatively common to deal with traumatic conditions and wrongs of that past through some form of truth commission. Various frameworks – consisting of philosophical, moral, cultural, and political perspectives – may differently shape the processes and purposes of particular commissions.
Reviewed by Gregory Strong
For societies emerging from an oppressive and a violent past to a more democratic political order, it has become relatively common to deal with traumatic conditions and wrongs of that past through some form of truth commission. Various frameworks – consisting of philosophical, moral, cultural, and political perspectives – may differently shape the processes and purposes of particular commissions.
Generally, however, truth commissions invoke a restorative vision. In the interests of healing society, they seek to acknowledge the trauma of the past while not pursuing strict political or legal retribution against those responsible for oppression and violence. As truth commissions become fairly common in transitional societies, many are examining them to highlight their strengths and weaknesses, their successes and failures, in bringing the past into public view while trying to move society toward a more just and peaceful future.
This book presents studies by a number of people into issues connected with the foundations, aims, and operations of truth commissions in general:
- truth
- morality
- justice
- due process
- amnesty
- accountability
- reconciliation
- healing.
Particular attention is paid to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Contributors to the book include academicians as well as participants in the South African TRC.
Chapter Summaries:
Truth Commissions and the Provision of Truth, Justice and Reconciliation
The moral foundations of truth commissions
Restoring decency to barbaric societies
Moral ambitions within and beyond political constraints.
Truth commissions, transitional justice, and civil society
The moral foundations of the South African TRC: Truth as acknowledgment and justice as recognition
Truth and recognition in South Africa: The third way.
The uses of truth commissions: Lessons for the world
Amnesty, truth, and reconciliation: Reflections on the South African amnesty process
Trials, commissions, and investigating committees: The elusive search for norms of due process
The hope for healing: What can truth commissions do?
Doing history, doing justice: The narrative of the historian and of the truth commission
Constructing a report: Writing up the
‘truth'.
July 2002
