Can Reparation be Made for Historical Injustices?

Abstract

Debates on reparations for historical injustices have been among the most innovative of the post–Cold War period. They are an emanation of urgent social demands on the part of individuals aware of a key historic turn that has thoroughly revamped a long-standing tradition. What do the advocates of this compensatory justice want? What obstacles do they come up a gainst? What are the most satisfactory approaches?

[B]y prog ressively closing the borders, delivering captured refugees over to their persecutors, and adhering to restrictive principles for far too long, the country stood by as many people were undoubtedly driven to certain death. In this way Switzerland contributed to the Nazis’ success in achieving their goals.

—Final report of the Independent Commission of Experts Switzerland—World War II (Pendo, p. 477; my emphasis)