Past Human Rights Violations and the Question of Indifference: The Case of Chile

This book explores social indifference to human rights violations in Chile during the Pinochet dictatorship, using mixed methods to understand the causes, characteristics, and social consequences of this indifference. It offers insights into transitional justice processes and public policies on human rights in fragmented societies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 203 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This groundbreaking book makes a significant contribution to the fields of memory and human rights. It presents a novel and interdisciplinary theory on social indifference, particularly focusing on the indifference of individuals to human rights violations perpetrated against specific sectors of society during turbulent times. Through a comprehensive approach that combines mixed methods, the book delves into the underlying causes, characteristics, and societal implications of the current indifference of Chileans towards the human rights violations committed during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-90). The diverse findings presented in this book offer a valuable opportunity to reexamine the challenges of transitional justice processes in fragmented societies and to strengthen public policies on human rights.

The book begins by exploring the historical context of Chile, emphasizing the country's transition from a military regime to a democratic society. It highlights the importance of addressing the legacies of past violence and promoting reconciliation and social cohesion. The authors argue that social indifference towards human rights violations can hinder the process of transitional justice and perpetuate cycles of violence.

To investigate the phenomenon of social indifference, the book employs a mixed-methods approach. It combines quantitative data analysis, such as surveys and polls, with qualitative interviews and case studies. This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to social indifference and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.

One of the key findings of the book is the role of historical amnesia and forgetting in perpetuating social indifference. The authors argue that the long-term effects of authoritarianism and human rights violations can lead to a collective forgetting of the past, which in turn contributes to apathy and indifference towards current human rights issues. They suggest that efforts to promote memory and truth-telling can help break the cycle of forgetting and promote a more inclusive and just society.

Another important finding of the book is the relationship between social indifference and economic inequality. The authors argue that individuals who benefit from the status quo or who are marginalized by economic systems are more likely to exhibit social indifference towards human rights violations. They suggest that policies aimed at reducing economic inequality and promoting social inclusion can help mitigate the effects of social indifference and promote a more equitable society.

The book also explores the social consequences of social indifference towards human rights violations. It highlights the impact of indifference on individuals and communities, including feelings of trauma, marginalization, and social exclusion. It also examines the broader societal implications of social indifference, such as the erosion of democratic values and the perpetuation of social injustice.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking book makes a significant contribution to the fields of memory and human rights. It offers a novel and interdisciplinary theory on social indifference, particularly focusing on the indifference of individuals to human rights violations committed against specific sectors of society during turbulent times. Through a comprehensive approach that combines mixed methods, the book delves into the underlying causes, characteristics, and societal implications of the current indifference of Chileans towards the human rights violations committed during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-90). The diverse findings presented in this book offer a valuable opportunity to reexamine the challenges of transitional justice processes in fragmented societies and to strengthen public policies on human rights. By promoting memory, truth-telling, and social inclusion, we can work towards a more just and equitable society that honors the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030881726
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022