The Costs of Justice: Understanding How New Leaders Choose to Respond to Previous Rights Abuses

What motivates a new regime to pursue justice measures against previous human rights abusers, from condemnations to criminal prosecutions? What deters them?

Dr. Brian Grodsky, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UMBC, will discuss his book "The Costs of Justice" for the inaugural lecture of the spring 2012 Social Sciences Forum series. 

As he explains in a preview video, “New leaders who come to power have to balance the desire for justice that they may have with the public’s perceptions of [their] efficacy.” In other words, after a period of repression, politicians responsible for making sure electricity stays on, schools remain open, and the employment rate is stable “pursue justice to the degree to which they think they can get away with pursuing justice.”

Grodsky will explore, from a domestic perspective, how political leaders make important decisions impacting the international community, focusing on the examples of Serbia and Poland.