The Politics of International Norms
A Rhetorical Approach

Develops a rhetorical approach to norm contestation and change that will improve understandings of the politics of international norms.

Anette Stimmer (Author)

9781009455442, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 February 2025

378 pages
23.5 x 15.9 x 2.6 cm, 0.68 kg

'International politics, like all politics, is conditioned by social and legal norms. Yet the indeterminacy of such norms means that their meaning and application are often highly contested. Anette Stimmer's path-breaking book provides a new, highly compelling framework for understanding the nature and effects of such contestation. Her 'alternate endings' typologies provides not only an insightful window on different modalities of contestation, but also helps us better understand how different forms of contestation strengthen or weaken international norms. Theoretically smart and empirically rich, this book is a must read for everyone interested in the politics of international norms.' Christian Reus-Smit, Professor of International Relations, University of Melbourne

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.

Introduction
1. Alternate endings of norm contestation
2. Persistence of alternate endings: argumentation, audience reactions and delegation to agents
3. Norm impasse: contested statehoods of Kosovo, South Ossetia and Abkhazia (territorial integrity vs. self-determination)
4. Norm neglect: 2011 Libya no-fly zone (R2P, PoC vs. sovereignty) and South China Sea dispute (UNCLOS, 2016 arbitral award vs. nine-dash line, four sha)
5. Norm recognition: 2003 Iraq war (chapter VII norms) and targeted sanctions (due process rights)
6. Norm Clarification: international terrorism (right to self-defense and torture prohibition)
Conclusion
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS]