En conversant avec les bourreaux

déni et valeurs morales exprimées en situation d’entretien (Allemagne nazie ; dictatures du Plan Condor)

Abstract

In this paper, we place in perspective testimonies of mass violence perpetrators in cases where the perpetrators come from two very distinct socio-historical contexts, but share the feature of being produced in extrajudicial situations, often in jail, and take the form of conversations with journalists or fellow inmates. Firstly, we will bring to light the power relationships characteristic of these interactions, as well as strategies carried out by the interlocutors to lead these "veterans" beyond their face-work (Goffman, 1967) and, through the framework of the encounter, make them speak more consistently about their violent acts. Secondly, we will deal with how documents of this type can give us a privileged access to questions of morality in situations of mass violence. To this end, we will look closely at places in the discussions where the mass-murderer reacts strongly and feels offended, while on the other hand he often asserts the legitimacy of the violence he committed. We will focus here on the thematics of indignation in both contexts and more specifically on the relationships to money and the management of resources that emerge for the perpetrators in the course of their duties.