Anyone who has lived abroad knows the frustration of being held liable for the misdeeds of their country. Israelis get grilled about Palestine, Chinese receive disbelief over Xinjiang, and Britons are berated for colonialism. ‘It’s not my fault!’ some are tempted to reply. ‘I attend protests; or I am politically repressed; or I wasn’t even born yet!’ Sometimes, the effects of our states’ wrongdoings hit us materially. When states pay compensation to the victims of their wrongdoings, these payments almost always detract from what would otherwise be enjoyed by those living in the state. Is this effect justified?
Avia Pasternak answers: “in democracies, usually, at least for most residents; in non-democracies, usually not.” Her answer emerges from her consideration of several possible justifications for making residents pay for their states’ wrongdoings. Ultimately, Pasternak endorses a checklist (150–51). First, costs should be distributed according to residents’ personal levels of blameworthiness for...
