Title: Function and Dysfunction in Post-Conflict Justice Networks and Communities
Abstract: The field of post-conflict justice includes many well-known international criminal law and rule of law initiatives, from the International Criminal Court to legal reform programs in Afghanistan and Iraq. Less visible, but nonetheless vital to the field, are the international staff (known as internationals) who carry out these transitional justice enterprises, and the networks and communities of practice that connect them to each other. By sharing information, collaborating on joint action, and debating proposed legal rules within their networks and communities, internationals help to develop and implement the core norms and practices of post-conflict justice. These modes of collaboration are particularly important because the field’s fundamental norms and practices are still evolving dramatically. But at times, these networks and communities are dysfunctional. Then, internationals’ ability to engage in robust dialogue and work together is compromised, to the detriment of the effectiveness of their work and the maturation of the field as a whole. In examining these issues, this Article draws on a * Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Law; J.D., Yale Law School; B.A., University of Oregon. Thanks to the U.S. Institute of Peace, the University of Pittsburgh Global Studies Center, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law for grants supporting the research on which this Article is based. Thanks also to the many people who have supported and commented on the study and this Article, including Elizabeth Anderson, Chris Borgen, Chris Brummer, Margaret deGuzman, Mark Drumbl, Jean Galbraith, Nienke Grossman, Duncan Hollis, Haider Hamoudi, Charles Jalloh, Anil Kalhan, Maximo Langer, Milan Markovic, Craig Martin, Peggy McGuinness, Jamie O’Connell, Hari Osofsky, Jaya Ramji-Nogales, Leila Sadat, Galit Sarfaty, Jane Stromseth, Jenia Turner, Beth Van Schaack, Melissa Waters, Matthew Waxman, David Zaring, and the participants in the ASIL Research Forum, the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute International Law and Theory Roundtable at Washington University School of Law, St. John’s University School of Law’s Challenges from International Law Symposium, the Samuel Dash Human Rights Conference at Georgetown University Law Center, and the Junior International Law Scholars Association’s Washington and Philadelphia meetings, as well as my colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh Law School. My greatest debt of gratitude is owed to all those who participated in the study: thank you. 626 vanderbilt journal of transnational law [vol. 47:625 series of interviews with internationals who have worked in post-conflict justice.
Publication Year: 2014
Publication Date: 2014-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 3
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