Editorial Note on the Special Issue on Civil Society, Social Movements and Transitional Justice
Published: 22 Sep 2016
By: Lucy Hovil and Moses Chrispus Okello
Source: International Journal of Transitional Justice
Editorial Note, from Special Issue on Civil Society, Social Movements and Transitional Justice
Transitional justice, an emerging genre in the study, conception and practice of justice, has come about as a result of years of negotiation, contestation and compromise between state and nonstate actors. It is now generally acknowledged that nonstate actors, and in particular civil society organizations (CSOs), play a critical role in deconstructing authoritarianism, rebuilding the state and establishing a firm foundation for strong democracies. Civil society actors, with control of vast resources (in aggregate), are proliferating in postconflict and postauthoritarian contexts, settings in which they are often able to exert disproportionate influence relative to the fragility of the state. Their ability to influence decision-making processes within governments (as well as the UN) has made these entities indispensible patrons in contemporary politics.