Transitioning societies: South Africa and Argentina. How power dynamics impact the ‘contract for truth’

Jeremy Gunther

Authors

Jeremy Gunther Monash University

Keywords:

Transitional Justice, Amnesty, Reparations, Truth telling, Systems change, tools of analysis

Abstract

Both South Africa and Argentina have experienced tyrannical and oppressive periods of political leadership. Ultimately, this has led both nations to ask - how do we create a stable future, and how do we come to terms with the crimes of the past? This piece will look at the mechanisms that were employed by both countries throughout this process and the outcomes they achieved. More importantly though, it will frame the responses in a contract analogy. It will look to the ‘bargain’ struck between victims and perpetrators. It will then critically analyse the way that existing power structures shape this ‘bargain’ and how it impacts the extent and quality of truth, along with outcomes for victims.

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Author Biography

Jeremy Gunther, Monash University

Jeremy Gunther is a graduating student from Monash University, in Melbourne, Australia. He will graduate with a bachelor Law and Arts, and can be contacted by email at jeremy.gunther@outlook.com

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