Conflicting Perspectives - Justice Game

Textual form, that is, the way in which Robertson represents his argument is crucial to an understanding of conflicting perspectives in his text, The Justice Game. In particular, the way in which Robertson formats his account of his cases with an analysis of two differing perspectives as well as his own is important in juxtaposing the perspectives and enhancing an understanding of their conflicting nature in the text. In his case, The Prisoner of Venda, Robertson presents the perspective of the African countries of Venda and Malawi as being ruled by a corrupt government, perpetrating contraventions of basic human rights. Robertson presents this perspective in order to contrast with his own on the value of human rights. This is similar to the way in which Robertson presents the conflicting perspectives of the totalitarian regime in Singapore and how the justice system is manipulated by the government in the case Show Trials. Robertson contrasts this perspective with his own, that in order for a healthy judiciary, the justice system must remain independent from the government. It is evident therefore that the way in which Robertson presents the differing views in each of his cases is important to an overall understating of how conflicting perspectives have been created.

Robertson’s presentation of the country of Venda as one in which the course of justice is often manipulated via the implementation of outdated British laws - remnants of the colonial history of the country - conflicts with his assertion that the justice system must remain independent of the Government. Robertson from the outset, presents the country of Venda as one in which the course of justice is often absurd. This is achieved via Robertson’s choice for the title of the chapter, The Prisoner of Venda, which is a pun on the title of a fictional adventure novel, The Prisoner of Zenda. Robertson's textual form however is also important. At the start of the chapter, he gives overview and context of...