Identity, Memory of the Civil War and Support for Reparations in Guatemala

Abstract

The mutually constitutive relationship between constructions of social identity and collective memory is mediated by cultural tools. Across four studies, I explored the relationship between ethnic and national identity and engagement with the final report of the Commission for Historical Clarification as a cultural tool for the memory of the Civil War in Guatemala. I also investigated the implications of social identification and engagement with the report for support of social justice policies aimed at repairing harm associated with the war. In Study 1, identification with the Indigenous social category and a tendency towards exploration of national identity were associated with positive attitudes towards the CEH report and with greater support for reparative policy. In Study 2, identification with the Indigenous category—particularly a sense of solidarity and commitment towards Indigenous identity—was again related to more positive report attitudes and support for reparations. In the final two studies, I measured (Study 3) and manipulated (Study 4) a sense of shared heritage with Indigenous Peoples. Such sense of shared heritage was associated with increased Indigenous identification, which in turn predicted positive attitudes towards the report as well as increased support for reparations. These findings have implications for our understanding of social identities and their relationship with collective memory. I discuss these implications for the Guatemalan context with reference to local struggles for transitional justice.