Truth commissions, trials or nothing? Policy options in democratic transitions

Article Abstract:

This article examines the efficacy of truth commissions and trials in developing countries attempting to transition from authoritarianism to democracy, focusing on evidence from 30 different African and Latin American countries. The author finds that a government's choice of human rights policies depends on the strength of public's demand for truth and justice and the outgoing regime's demand for amnesty and impunity; trials occur when the outgoing regime is relatively weak, do not occur when it is strong, and when its powers are equal to the incoming government a truth commission is likely to occur.

Africa, Latin America, Analysis, Laws, regulations and rules, Political aspects, Ethical aspects, Human rights, Political reform, Trials, Commissions of inquiry, International, International investigations

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Internal colonisation, development and environment

Article Abstract:

This article discusses the continuing process of colonization in Southern countries, this time by the ruling elite. Enclosure and the encouragement of internal migration to settlements allows the ruling classes to control urban and rural development, as well as the use of land and its potential for wealth; the urbanization of the South also poses serious environmental problems.

World, Social aspects, Environmental aspects, Developing countries, Environmental policy, Social conflict, Industrial development, Industrialization, Urbanization, Migration, Internal, Internal migration, Colonization

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