Informal Justice in Context

Abstract

Northern Ireland and South Africa may, at first sight, appear to have little to offer in terms of comparative analysis beyond the rather superficial observation that both are ‘divided societies’ as the title of this book suggests. One point of comparison, however, is that both might be styled ‘post-conflict’ societies and, as a consequence, merit academic enquiry to uncover common characteristics which could promote policy learning both within and between Northern Ireland and South Africa and, more generally, other countries emerging from conflict. Both countries have new political dispensations and seek to eschew the legacy of bitter and bloody violence. The collapse of apartheid in 1989, lifting the 30-year ban on the African National Congress (ANC) and the subsequent release of political prisoners including Nelson Mandela, created a climate for political negotiation and change in South Africa. In the face of international financial/trade sanctions and ongoing mass resistance, the then State President F.W. de Klerk, moved to create internal stability. To external observers and an increasing number of white South Africans ‘apartheid stood exposed as morally bankrupt, indefensible and impervious to reforms’.1 The restrictions of apartheid began to be removed and political rights extended to black South Africans.KeywordsCommunal ViolenceRestorative JusticePolitical ViolenceAfrican National CongressInformal JusticeThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.