The Bureaucracy of Reparations and Political Engagement

Countries transitioning from civil war and authoritarian legacies often adopt transitional justice measures like reparations, prosecutions, and truth commissions. The success of these efforts depends, in part, on interactions with victims. We propose a framework linking victims’ engagement with reparations programs to political participation. We then use panel survey data from over 12,000 respondents in conflict-affected regions of Colombia to show that those who engage with transitional justice institutions are more likely to contact local leaders or politicians and join grassroots organizations. Mediation analysis reveals that while victimization drives much of this engagement, interactions with reparations programs independently increase contacting leaders and voting. Our findings have important implications for transitional justice, peacebuilding, and democratic participation.