Freedom from Past Injustices: A Critical Evaluation of Claims for Inter-Generational Reparations

Should contemporary citizens provide material redress to right past wrongs? There is a widespread belief that people today should take responsibility for rectifying the wrongs of their ancestors. Nahshon Perez challenges this view, questioning attempts to aggregate dead wrongdoers with living people. He distinguishes sharply between those who are indeed unjustly enriched by past wrongs, and those who are not. Perez concludes that individuals have the right to a clean slate, and that almost all of the pro-intergenerational redress arguments are unconvincing. This title is unique in claiming past wrongs should not be rectified. It analyses pro-intergenerational material redress arguments. Case studies include court cases from Australia, Northern Cyprus, the United States and Austria. Should contemporary citizens provide material redress to right past wrongs? There is a widespread belief that contemporary citizens should take responsibility for rectifying past wrongs. Nahshon Perez challenges this view, questioning attempts to aggregate dead wrongdoers with living people, and examining ideas of intergenerational collective responsibility with great suspicion. He distinguishes sharply between those who are indeed unjustly enriched by past wrongs, and those who are not. Looking at issues such as the distinction between compensation and restitution, counterfactuals and the non-identity problem, Perez concludes that individuals have the right to a clean slate, and that almost all of the pro-intergenerational redress arguments are unconvincing. Key Features: Unique in claiming past wrongs should not be rectified Analyses pro-intergenerational material redress arguments Case studies include court cases from Australia, Northern Cyprus, the United States and Austria Should contemporary citizens provide material redress to right past wrongs? This title concludes that individuals have the right to a clean slate, and that almost all of the pro-intergenerational redress arguments. It includes case studies such as:court cases from Australia, Northern Cyprus, the United States and Austria