Understanding the peacebuilding potential of truth commission recommendations through a public administration lens: The Latin American experience

This article places truth commission recommendations, the subject of some attention in transitional justice scholarship, at the intersection of peace studies and public administration. Based on data on approximately 1,000 recommendations found in 13 Latin American reports published between 1984 and 2014, we reflect on the role of public administration in implementation. Specifically, we examine challenges surrounding multiple interpretations and negotiations among stakeholders. We find that how recommendations are designed, tracked, and institutionalized is filtered primarily through political will, the capacities and cultures of public agencies, the discretion of public servants, and interagency coordination.