The Politics of Restorative Justice: A Critical Introduction

Using detailed case studies from South Africa and aboriginal communities in Canada, this study lays out the philosophical and legal background of the restorative justice movement and shows how merely using it as another form of punishment violates its fundamental principles. Exploring how restorative justice involves political actors as well as structural forces, the discussion covers its use in prisons, truth and reconciliation commissions, with troubled youth, and—in ideal circumstances—entire communities.