The Politics of Official Apologies

Intense interest in past injustice lies at the centre of contemporary world politics. Most scholarly and public attention has focused on truth commissions, trials, lustration, and other related decisions, following political transitions. This book examines the political uses of official apologies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. It explores why minority groups demand such apologies and why governments do or do not offer them. Nobles argues that apologies can help to alter the terms and meanings of national membership. Minority groups demand apologies in order to focus attention on historical injustices. Similarly, state actors support apologies for ideological and moral reasons, driven by their support of group rights, responsiveness to group demands, and belief that acknowledgment is due. Apologies, as employed by political actors, play an important, if underappreciated, role in bringing certain views about history and moral obligation to bear in public life. Intense Interest In Past Injustice Lies At The Center Of Contemporary World Politics. Most Scholarly And Public Attention Has Focused On Truth Commissions, Trials, Lustration, And Other Related Decisions, Following Political Transitions. This Book Examines The Political Uses Of Official Apologies In Australia, Canada, New Zealand, And The United States. It Explores Why Minority Groups Demand Such Apologies And Why Governments Do Or Do Not Offer Them. Melissa Nobles Argues That Apologies Can Help To Alter The Terms And Meanings Of National Membership. Minority Groups Demand Apologies In Order To Focus Attention On Historical Injustices, The Rectification Of Which, They Argue, Should Guide Changes In Present-day Government Policies. Similarly, State Actors Support Apologies For Ideological And Moral Reasons, Driven By Their Support Of Group Rights, Responsiveness To Group Demands, And Belief That Acknowledgment Is Due. Apologies, As Employed By Political Actors, Play An Important, If Underappreciated, Role In Bringing Certain Views About History And Moral Obligation To Bear In Public Life.--book Jacket. Toward A Membership Theory Of Apologies -- History Of National Memberships In Australia, Canada, New Zealand, And The United States -- To Apologize Or Not To Apologize : National Histories And Official Apologies -- Beyond Sentiment? : Apologies And Their Effects -- The Weight Of History And The Value Of Apologies. Melissa Nobles. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 167-187) And Index. This book examines the political uses of official apologies in the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Nobles explores why minority groups demand such apologies and why governments do or do not offer them. She argues that apologies can help to alter the terms and meanings of national membership. Minorities demand apologies in order to focus attention on historical injustices, the rectification of which, they argue, should guide changes in present-day government policies. When employed by political actors, apologies play an important, if under appreciated, role in bringing certain views about history and moral obligation to bear in public life. This book examines the political uses of official apologies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Nobles explores why minority groups demand such apologies and why governments do or do not offer them. When employed by political actors, apologies play an important role in contemporary politics and public life.