Reparations raise perpetrator groups’ moral standing and reduce intergroup tension

Evidence

Reparation efforts may differ in their implications for members of perpetrator and victim groups. In Table 1, we outline the hypothesized positive and negative consequences of reparations for members of perpetrator and victim groups. For members of perpetrator groups, one positive aspect of reparations is that it can increase the group’s moral standing in the world. Barkan (2000) argues that there is a world-wide tendency for nations to join the “international moral society” by expressing guilt for past injustices committed against other groups. Another positive, but rather different consequence of financial reparations for perpetrator groups is that it may lead to closure on an unfortunate episode. This closure may result in relief from the nagging and uncomfortable feeling of owing something to others, which is a feeling that may become stronger over time (Gilovich & Medvec, 1995). A final positive consequence of making reparations for perpetrators is that both groups may work toward a new future, which could lead to more favorable and relaxed relations with the victim group. — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 725

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Loyalty and authority crowd out harm and fairness after in-group atrocities — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 2149; Collective guilt functions adaptively by motivating reparation and preventing repeated intergroup conflict — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt: International…, 87; Victim groups seek agentic power while perpetrator groups seek moral reacceptance — Nurit Shnabel and Johannes Ullrich, Identity Needs in Intergroup Relations:…, 65 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Victim groups seek agentic power while perpetrator groups seek moral reacceptance #corroborates (0.90) — Nurit Shnabel and Johannes Ullrich, Identity Needs in Intergroup Relations, 65
• Victim and perpetrator groups pursue agentic versus moral identity restoration respectively. #corroborates (0.88) — Nurit Shnabel and Johannes Ullrich, Identity Needs in Intergroup Relations, 140
• Atonement must let perpetrator groups retain a positive moral identity #qualifies (0.85) — Nurit Shnabel and Johannes Ullrich, Identity Needs in Intergroup Relations, 155
• Collective guilt functions adaptively by motivating reparation and preventing repeated intergroup conflict #qualifies (0.80) — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt, 87
• Loyalty and authority crowd out harm and fairness after in-group atrocities #complicates (0.78) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 2149
• Witnessing in-group atrocities shifts moral priorities toward loyalty #complicates (0.75) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 2149
• Acknowledging in-group responsibility for past atrocities increases infrahumanization of the victim group #complicates (0.75) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 2108
• Precedent reparations to one group boost another group’s support #exemplifies (0.72) — Dorothy A. Brown, Getting to Reparations, 1116