Equality After Conflict: Assessing the Effects of Transitional Justice on Horizontal Inequalities

In the aftermath of armed conflicts, many countries face significant socioeconomic inequalities that often stem from societal divisions based on ethnicity, religion, region, or caste systems. Transitional justice (TJ) has emerged due to the need to respond to widespread human rights violations and the grievances caused by the armed conflict. Prior work has established a strong positive relationship between horizontal inequalities (HIs) and the occurrence of civil conflicts. Yet previous research has largely overlooked how these inequalities evolve in postconflict countries that implement TJ measures to address past violations. This article investigates the impact of TJ on HIs and argues that TJ can help reduce HIs by influencing three main factors that make conflict more likely: grievance, opportunity, and identity. By examining the levels of accessibility of services and exclusion among social groups following the implementation of TJ, this study is the first to conduct a quantitative analysis of the TJ-HIs relationship. The findings suggest a consistent positive relationship between TJ and multiple measures of HIs that disappears when control variables are included. Ultimately, the findings contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding the design and implementation of effective TJ strategies that promote social inclusivity, diminish disparities, and foster sustainable peace and development in postconflict societies. Public Significance Statement This study explores whether transitional justice influences horizontal inequalities in postconflict settings. While the findings yield no statistically significant effects of transitional justice on horizontal inequalities, they enrich discussions on effective transitional justice strategies. The study underscores considering socioeconomic dimensions, as victimized groups prioritize social and economic needs alongside justice.