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How Far Back Should We Go? Why Restitution Should Be Small

Cowen, Tyler
June 4, 2015

Source: (2006) In, Elster, Jon, editor, Retribution and Repatriation in the Transition to Democracy Cambridge University Press, New York, pp 17-31

I have examined why the time horizon for intergenerational restitution is limited. Restitution may be a matter of right, but those rights carry across the generations only with serious limits. I do not mean, however, to oppose restitution per se. This chapter arguably can be read as a defense of restitution, provided that the sums in question are relatively small. We can entertain restitutional policies without fearing a reduction ad absurdum, and without being forced to try to remedy all previous injustices. (excerpt)

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