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Uses and misuses of memory

By proposing an "ethics of memory" which is composed of 6 recommendations, the analysis "Uses and misuses of memory" questions the role played by the commemoration of violence in the dynamics of exiting violence and creating a non-violent democratic public space.

The consequences of past violence very often lead States, civil society and individuals to undertake a process of "memorialisation" in order to heal a past trauma among survivors and their loved ones. While this memorial work, particularly through public commemoration, reveals the extent to which the state and society recognize the suffering experienced and help build a future without violence, it can also be a source of tension.

Indeed, the work carried out here shows how the reification of certain histories can be the cause of social divisions or marginalization when this work of memory emanates from the State. As for symbolic gestures, they can lead to a return to violence when they are part of a political will to divert the dialogue on essential structural reforms.

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Leaders

  • Scott Straus

    • Research field genocide, political violence, human rights, and African politics
    • Institution University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Position professor of political science and international studies
    • Theme Uses and misuses of memory
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Group members

  • Catherine Besteman

    • Research field insécurity and violence
    • Institution Colby College
    • Position professor of anthropology
    • Theme Uses and misuses of memory
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  • Bridget Conley-Zilkic

    • Research field mass atrocities, genocide
    • Institution World Peace Foundation, Tufts University
    • Position director of studies
    • Theme Uses and misuses of memory
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  • Francisco Ferrandiz

    • Research field violence and social memory
    • Institution Spanish National Research Council
    • Position staff researcher
    • Theme Uses and misuses of memory
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  • Molly Minden

    • Research field Transitional Justice, Violence, Social Movements, Human Rights, Latin America
    • Institution University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Position Ph.D. Student
    • Theme Uses and misuses of memory
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  • Ronald G. Suny

    • Research field imperialism, historiography
    • Institution University of Michigan
    • Position professor emeritus
    • Theme Uses and misuses of memory
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  • Natan Sznaider

    • Research field cultural memory in Israel, Europe and Latin America
    • Institution Tel-Aviv-Yaffo Academic College
    • Position professor of sociology
    • Theme Uses and misuses of memory
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  • Baskara T. Wardaya

    • Research field religion and politics
    • Institution Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
    • Position lecturer
    • Theme Uses and misuses of memory
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