Armed conflict and post-conflict justice, 1946–2006
| Author | Helga Malmin Binningsbø,Scott Gates,Cyanne E Loyle,Jon Elster |
| Published date | 01 September 2012 |
| Date | 01 September 2012 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0022343312450886 |
| Subject Matter | Special Section on Mediation / Conflict Resolution / Post Conflict Justice |
Armed conflict and post-conflict justice,
1946–2006: A dataset
Helga Malmin Binningsbø
Centre for the Study of Civil War, PRIO
Cyanne E Loyle
Department of Political Science and International Studies Program, West Virginia University
Scott Gates
Centre for the Study of Civil War, PRIO & Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Jon Elster
Columbia University, Colle
`ge de France & Centre for the Study of Civil War, PRIO
Abstract
This article introduces a new dataset on post-conflict justice (PCJ) that provides an overview of if, where, and how
post-conflict countries address the wrongdoings committed in association with previous armed conflict. Motivated
by the literature on post-conflict peacebuilding, we study justice processes during post-conflict transitions. We
examine: which countries choose to implement PCJ; where PCJ is implemented; and which measures are taken
in post-conflict societies to address past abuse. Featuring justice and accountability processes, our dataset focuses
solely on possible options to address wrongdoings that are implemented following and relating to a given armed
conflict. These data allow scholars to address hypotheses regarding justice following war and the effect that these
institutions have on transitions to peace. This new dataset includes all extrasystemic, internationalized internal, and
internal armed conflicts from 1946 to 2006, with at least 25 annual battle-related deaths as coded by the UCDP/
PRIO Armed Conflict Dataset. The post-conflict justice (PCJ) efforts included are: trials, truth commissions, repara-
tions, amnesties, purges, and exiles. By building upon the UCDP/PRIO Armed Conflict Dataset, scholars interested
in PCJ can include variables regarding the nature of the conflict itself to test how PCJ arrangements work in different
environments in order to better address the relationships between justice, truth, and peace in the post-conflict period.
Keywords
armed conflict, civil war, post-conflict justice dataset, transitional justice
Introduction
Justice,truth, and peace in a post-conflict period are often
presumed to be mutually reinforcing goals. Unfortu-
nately, during times of insecurity, justice, truth, and
peace often come into conflict. Warlords might forego
peace negotiations because they fear severe punishment.
Failing to punish wrongdoers could seed resentment
and potentially provoke retributive violence by victims.
Offering amnesty might coax rebels to surrender and
thus secure a lasting peace. These examples demonstrate
inherent tensions among the options used to address the
violence of the past and a broader quest for truth and jus-
tice (Elster, 2010). Despite vibrant debate, we have yet
Corresponding author:
helmal@prio.no
Journal of Peace Research
49(5) 731–740
ªThe Author(s) 2012
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DOI: 10.1177/0022343312450886
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