The Costs of Justice

How New Leaders Respond to Previous Rights Abuses

By Brian K. Grodsky | Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

About the book

In The Costs of Justice, Brian K. Grodsky provides qualitative analyses of how transitional justice processes have evolved in diverse ways in postcommunist Poland, Croatia, Serbia, and Uzbekistan, by examining the decision-making processes and goals of those actors who contributed to key transitional justice policy decisions. Grodsky draws on extensive interviews with key political figures, human rights leaders, and representatives of various international, state, and nongovernmental bodies, as well as detailed analysis of international and local news reports, to offer a systematic and qualitatively compelling account of transitional justice from the perspective of activists who, at the end of a previous regime, were suddenly transformed from downtrodden victim to empowered judge.

Grodsky challenges the argument that transitional justice in post-repressive states is largely a function of the relative power of new versus old elites. He maintains that a new regime's transitional justice policy is closely linked to its capacity to provide goods and services expected by constituents, not to political power struggles. In introducing this goods variable, so common to broad political analysis but largely overlooked in the transitional justice debate, Grodsky argues that we must revise our understanding of transitional justice. It is not an exceptional issue; it is but one of many political decisions faced by leaders in a transition state.

Editions of The Costs of Justice

Hardcover
ISBN 2010024331
Hardcover
ISBN 9780268205959
Paperback
ISBN 9780268029777
PDF
ISBN 9780268080648

Read an Excerpt

In The Costs of Justice, Brian K. Grodsky provides qualitative analyses of how transitional justice processes have evolved in diverse ways in postcommunist Poland, Croatia, Serbia, and Uzbekistan, by examining the decision-making processes and goals of those actors who contributed to key transitional justice policy decisions. Grodsky draws on extensive interviews with key political figures, human rights leaders, and representatives of various international, state, and nongovernmental bodies, as well as detailed analysis of international and local news reports, to offer a systematic and qualitatively compelling account of transitional justice from the perspective of activists who, at the end of a previous regime, were suddenly transformed from downtrodden victim to empowered judge.

Grodsky challenges the argument that transitional justice in post-repressive states is largely a function of the relative power of new versus old elites. He maintains that a new regime's transitional justice policy is closely linked to its capacity to provide goods and services expected by constituents, not to political power struggles. In introducing this goods variable, so common to broad political analysis but largely overlooked in the transitional justice debate, Grodsky argues that we must revise our understanding of transitional justice. It is not an exceptional issue; it is but one of many political decisions faced by leaders in a transition state.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Costs of Justice about?

In The Costs of Justice, Brian K. Grodsky provides qualitative analyses of how transitional justice processes have evolved in diverse ways in postcommunist Poland, Croatia, Serbia, and Uzbekistan, by examining the decision-making processes and goals of those actors who contributed to key transitional justice policy decisions. Grodsky draws on extensive interviews with key political figures, human rights leaders, and representatives of various international, state, and nongovernmental bodies, as well as detailed analysis of international and local news reports, to offer a systematic and qualitatively compelling account of transitional justice from the perspective of activists who, at the end of a previous regime, were suddenly transformed from downtrodden victim to empowered judge.

Grodsky challenges the argument that transitional justice in post-repressive states is largely a function of the relative power of new versus old elites. He maintains that a new regime's transitional justice policy is closely linked to its capacity to provide goods and services expected by constituents, not to political power struggles. In introducing this goods variable, so common to broad political analysis but largely overlooked in the transitional justice debate, Grodsky argues that we must revise our understanding of transitional justice. It is not an exceptional issue; it is but one of many political decisions faced by leaders in a transition state.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Costs of Justice?

Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary subjects > Interdisciplinary studies > Peace studies and conflict resolution

Where can I read a sample of The Costs of Justice?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/2010024331

Is The Costs of Justice part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Contemporary European Politics and Society

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Costs of Justice?

Brian K. Grodsky

Who is the Publisher of the book The Costs of Justice?

University of Notre Dame Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Costs of Justice is available as hardcover(ISBN 2010024331) and hardcover(ISBN 9780268205959) and paperback(ISBN 9780268029777) and pdf(ISBN 9780268080648)

Where can I buy The Costs of Justice online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Costs of Justice from below

Where can I buy The Costs of Justice?