The role of third parties in norm enforcement in customary courts among the Enga of Papua New Guinea.

ABSTRACT: Cultural norms are key to cooperation in human societies. How they are regulated, maintained, and adapted to the change remains a matter of debate. Humans have dispositions for both retributive and restorative justice; recent focus has been on third-party punishment, punitive sanctions by those not directly harmed, as key for norm enforcement. However, punishment does not engage the essential proficiencies and emotions critical to cooperation in small-scale societies with high dependence on collective action, sharing, and exchange. Third-party participation in norm enforcement is examined with data from a 10-y study among the Enga of Papua New Guinea. The Enga have a plural justice system with formal courts practicing retributive justice and customary courts applying restorative measures.

SUBMITTER: Wiessner P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7768727 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature