Mass Violence, Transitional Justice, Politics of Memory: Theoretical Perspectives and Conceptual Nodes

Abstract

Over the past half-century, the «politics of memory» have emerged theoretically and practically as a key dimension of that constellation of non-punitive instruments of «redemption» from past atrocities that we are accustomed to approximate through the notions of «reparative» or «restorative justice». Far from in agreement, however, appear to date scholarly judgments on the deeper political significance assumed by this type of measure in the specific context of processes of transition to peace and democracy. The essay aims to reconstruct and discuss the main lines of development of this intense debate, focusing in particular on the controversial relationship between memories of violence, transitional justice, and collective agency that constitutes the central theme of this issue of Scienza & Politica.