The Politics of International Norms: A Rhetorical Approach - Hardcover

Stimmer, Anette

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1009455443 ISBN 13: 9781009455442

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2025

Synopsis

Norm contestation is prevalent in international affairs: Legal ambiguities and tensions generate debate, even when well-established international norms are applied to concrete situations. This book discusses a wide range of norm disputes and develops a rhetorical approach to the politics of international norms. Anette Stimmer demonstrates how actors can agree or disagree on the norm frame (norm-based justification) and/or behavioural claim (implementing action) when applying international law. Thus, norm contestation can have four “alternate endings”: norm impasse, norm neglect, norm recognition, and norm clarification. These alternate endings affect the clarity and strength of the contested norms, as well as subsequent debate, differently. Furthermore, Stimmer explains how the three elements of rhetoric – speakers (including delegation to agents), argumentation, and audience reactions – influence the duration and outcome of contestation. This rhetorical approach is applied to eight norm disputes, ranging from military interventions to contestation over the human rights of terror suspects.

About this title

About the Author

Anette Stimmer is a Lecturer in International Relations at the University of St Andrews. Her research focuses on norm contestation and change, reasons for action, international security, and human rights. Her work has been published in the European Journal of International Relations, International Studies Quarterly, and the Journal of Global Security Studies. She has received awards from the International Studies Association and the Political Studies Association.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1009455443
• ISBN 13: 9781009455442
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 378