Historic Injustice, Trust and Moral Repair

Abstract

Injustices not only wreck direct harm, but may also corrode trust between various agents, groups and institutions within a society. The pervasion of distrust may weaken ties of obligation, hamper the ability to cooperate, and corrode the legitimacy of culpable authorities. What obligations arise in such a state of moral disrepair? Who has the responsibility to rebuild trust, and how? What institutions and mechanisms are required? Can normally sacrosanct rights, such the right to run for office, be suspended to rebuild trust, such as in the case of lustration? These questions form the heart of this panel’s focus on Historic Injustice, Trust and Moral Repair.