The Invisible Constitution of Politics
Contested Norms and International Encounters

This book focuses on the contested meanings of norms in a world of increasing international encounters.

Antje Wiener (Author)

9781107404403, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 March 2012

266 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.4 cm, 0.36 kg

'What makes Wiener's work so refreshing is that she refuses to be captured by any of the existing orthodoxies, such as the norm-diffusion school which sees everywhere the formation of "norm cascades".' Global Law Books

As social practices now frequently extend beyond national boundaries, experiences and expectations about fair and legitimate politics have become increasingly fragmented. Our ability to understand and interpret others and to tolerate difference, rather than overcome diversity, is therefore at risk. This book focuses on the contested meanings of norms in a world of increasing international encounters. The author argues that cultural practices are less visible than organisational practices, but are constitutive for politics and need to be understood and empirically 'accounted' for. Comparing four elite groups in Europe, Antje Wiener shows how this invisible constitution of politics matters. By comparing individual interpretations of norms such as democracy and human rights, she shows how they can mean different things, even to frequently travelling elite groups.

List of tables and graphs
Preface
1. Introduction
Part I. Three Theoretical Moves: 2. Constitutionalism beyond modernity
3. The dual quality of norms
4. Making normative meaning accountable for international relations
Part II. Case Study: Reconstructing the Structure of Meaning-in-Use: 5. Citizenship
6. Democracy and the rule of law
7. Human rights and fundamental freedoms
Part III. Evaluation: 8. Comparative assessment and working hypothesis
9. Incorporating access to contestation
Annex
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Legal system: general [LNA], Political science & theory [JPA]