Violence, partisanship and transitional justice in Zimbabwe

Violence, partisanship and transitional justice in Zimbabwe

Author: 
Bratton, Michael
Publisher: 
Cambridge University Press
Record type: 
Journal Title: 
Journal of Modern African Studies
Source: 
The Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 49, No. 3, 2011, pp. 353-380
Abstract: 

What determines people's willingness to consider punishment for human rights abusers? This article investigates this question in the context of Zimbabwe in the aftermath of the country's violent presidential election campaign of June 2008. Based on a national probability sample survey, the paper shows that exposure to violence was reportedly widespread and that attitudes to transitional justice are mixed. In considering how to handle abuses, Zimbabweans weigh the pros and cons carefully and, recognising that peace and justice are difficult to obtain simultaneously, generally prefer the former. The article analyses the various factors that together predict a citizen's proclivity to claim transitional justice in its most demanding retributive form. Reflecting power relations, the results indicate that political partisanship is almost as important as individuals? personal experience of actual and threatened acts of violence.

Language: 
Country focus: 

CITATION: Bratton, Michael. Violence, partisanship and transitional justice in Zimbabwe . : Cambridge University Press , . The Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 49, No. 3, 2011, pp. 353-380 - Available at: https://library.au.int/violence-partisanship-and-transitional-justice-zimbabwe-3