An Atmosphere of Pessimism and Distrust: Comparison of Results

Abstract

What differentiates individuals who deliberate on transitional justice and those who do not? This chapter uses Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to answer this question, by illustrating patterns and validating focus group results. It is not, however, used to ascertain causality. The method demonstrates where the war narrative is strong and where it is questioned. The results show that levels of distrust and pessimism were the key differentiator across groups. Is the Croatian government distrusted or is it also looking to split the public? Are Serbs inherently aggressive? Are all returnees accomplices to war crimes? Is the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) necessary or not? Individuals’ views on these issues were correlated to how much they deliberated on transitional justice. The QCA highlights that those with lower degrees of distrust and pessimism with the world around them were also more receptive to the transitional justice process.