Norms

Definition

Norms are shared expectations and rules that guide the behavior of actors within a given social context, including international relations. They play a critical role in shaping the actions, beliefs, and identities of states and other international actors, providing a framework for understanding acceptable conduct. Norms are not formalized laws but carry significant influence in the operations of international organizations and relationships among states.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Norms can evolve over time, influenced by changes in social dynamics, power structures, or collective beliefs within the international community.
2. They play a key role in legitimizing certain behaviors, as states often look to established norms to justify their actions on the world stage.
3. Different norms may exist simultaneously in the international system, leading to potential conflicts or synergies among states with varying beliefs and values.
4. The establishment of norms can lead to socialization processes, where states adopt and internalize these norms as part of their identity.
5. Norms can have both prescriptive elements (what actions are appropriate) and proscriptive elements (what actions are unacceptable), shaping the overall landscape of international behavior.

Review Questions

• How do norms influence the behavior of states in the international system?
  • Norms influence state behavior by establishing shared expectations about appropriate conduct. States often reference these norms when justifying their actions or responses to others, creating a framework for acceptable practices. For example, norms related to human rights or sovereignty shape how states interact with each other and can impact decisions on intervention or cooperation.
• Discuss the relationship between norms and power dynamics within international organizations.
  • Norms interact with power dynamics by either reinforcing existing hierarchies or challenging them. Powerful states often shape the creation and enforcement of norms to reflect their interests, while weaker states may resist or advocate for alternative norms. This dynamic can lead to negotiations within international organizations, where competing interests must find common ground through shared understandings or redefined norms.
• Evaluate the impact of changing norms on global issues such as climate change or human rights.
  • Changing norms significantly impact global issues by altering perceptions and behaviors toward those issues. For instance, the increasing norm of environmental responsibility has led to stronger international agreements on climate change, pressuring states to adopt sustainable practices. Similarly, shifts in human rights norms have resulted in greater accountability for violations and increased advocacy for marginalized groups. As these norms evolve, they reshape policies, state commitments, and global cooperation efforts.

Related terms

Social Constructivism: A theory that emphasizes the role of social structures and interactions in shaping individuals' identities and interests, arguing that reality is constructed through social processes.

International Regimes: Sets of principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures around which actor expectations converge in a given issue area in international relations.

Soft Law: Non-binding agreements or declarations that establish standards and expectations for behavior but do not carry legal enforceability.