Norms

Definition

Norms are shared expectations and rules that guide behavior within a community or society, shaping how individuals and states act in relation to each other. They play a crucial role in international relations by establishing standards of appropriate behavior and influencing the actions of states and other actors on the global stage. Norms can affect everything from diplomacy to trade, as they help to create a sense of predictability and stability in international interactions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Norms can emerge from various sources such as historical practices, treaties, or cultural understandings between states.
2. They can influence state behavior by creating expectations about how states should behave towards each other, thereby promoting cooperation or deterring conflict.
3. Norms are dynamic and can evolve over time as new issues arise or as the global political landscape changes.
4. States may comply with norms due to a desire for legitimacy, seeking to maintain a positive reputation among other international actors.
5. International regimes often reflect the norms that govern specific issue areas, such as environmental protection or human rights, guiding states' actions within those frameworks.

Review Questions

• How do norms influence the behavior of states in international relations?
  • Norms create shared expectations about appropriate behavior among states, which can lead to increased cooperation and reduced conflict. When states adhere to these norms, it fosters trust and predictability in their interactions. This adherence can also enhance a state's legitimacy on the global stage as it aligns with widely accepted behaviors, making it more likely for others to engage positively with it.
• Discuss the relationship between norms and international law in shaping state behavior.
  • Norms serve as the foundation for many aspects of international law by providing the principles that guide legal agreements and treaties. While international law consists of formalized rules that states are obligated to follow, norms help shape the interpretation and application of these laws. Normative expectations can drive compliance with international law even when formal enforcement mechanisms are weak, as states may seek to align with prevailing norms to maintain their credibility and standing.
• Evaluate the role of norms in establishing international regimes and their impact on global governance.
  • Norms play a critical role in forming international regimes by setting the standards for cooperation on specific issues such as trade, security, or environmental protection. These regimes depend on shared norms to facilitate coordination among states, making it easier to achieve collective goals. As norms evolve or new issues arise, regimes can adapt, which influences global governance by shaping how issues are addressed collectively and how states prioritize their actions based on these shared understandings.

Related terms

International Law: A set of rules and principles that govern the relations and dealings of nations with each other, which often stems from established norms.

Soft Power: The ability to shape the preferences of others through appeal and attraction, rather than coercion or payment, often relying on norms and values.

Constructivism: A theory in international relations that emphasizes the social construction of reality, including how norms shape state behavior and international relations.