Battles for Memory and Justice in Chile: Struggles for Remembrance, Legitimacy and Accountability

This book analyzes how the past and its representation in the public space have been a source of conflict in Chile since the end of the Pinochet regime. It studies the work of seven organizations of memory and human rights in Santiago, Chile, and the debates that have arisen around the themes of impunity, truth, and memory. The book covers the period from 1998 to 2018 and focuses on the struggles of meaning and legitimacy relating to particular historical periods. It will be of interest to researchers from different disciplines and fields of study.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate relationship between the past and its representation in public spaces in Chile, shedding light on the conflicts that have plagued the country since the end of the Pinochet regime. Drawing from a multi-disciplinary approach encompassing sociology, anthropology, and history, it explores the work of seven key organizations dedicated to memory and human rights in Santiago, Chile. Through in-depth analyses of these organizations' struggles, the book uncovers the central debates that have emerged in the country concerning impunity, truth, and memory. Spanning from 1998 to 2018, the book begins with the detention of Augusto Pinochet in London and concludes with the end of Michelle Bachelet's second term. The seven organizations studied range from family groups and survivors to sites of memory and consciousness, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives. By examining the discourses produced by these organizations, the book delves into specific historical periods, including 1998-2000, 2001-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2013, and 2014-2018. Through a focus on key debates and events during these conjunctures, the book highlights the ongoing struggles for meaning and legitimacy in relation to these times. In particular, the book pays close attention to the analysis of the main themes of litigation, the mobilization of actors, their objectives, and the ways in which the past is evoked in the public space.
Battles for Memory and Justice in Chile: Struggles for Remembrance, Legitimacy, and Accountability will appeal to a wide range of researchers and scholars from various disciplines within the human and social sciences. Sociologists, historians, and anthropologists, particularly those engaged in Latin American studies, sociology of memory, sociology of social movements, and human rights studies, will find this book invaluable in their pursuit of understanding the complex dynamics of memory, justice, and social change in Chile. By examining the experiences and narratives of these organizations and the broader societal context, the book offers valuable insights into the ongoing challenges and opportunities for reconciliation and healing in a country still grappling with its past.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031255335
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023