Processes of Norm Diffusion: Cross-Cutting the International and Local Level

(Linda Wallbott/Lisbeth Zimmermann)

The creation of regulation at the international level aimed at local governance processes gives rise to direct consequences on local normative orders and locally held norm-sets.  Yet the distinction between the international and the local level and the direction of norm diffusion is not so clear-cut: While local actors often refer to different “genuine” local norms, indigenous practices are at the same time often justified locally by reference to international human rights norms.  Many more examples of such a cross-cutting of the international and local level can be identified.

This panel addresses these tensions between norm formulation, promotion, and reception at multiple levels of governance.  It aims to bring together perspectives on norm diffusion from the disciplines of political science and international relations (which are most visibly concerned with collectively binding norm promotion activities) and social-cultural anthropology (which focuses on the micro-processes of the production, reception, appropriation of, and resistance to norms).

The panel addresses the following questions, focusing on the connection between international norm-makers and the local contexts of relatively undeveloped economies (the non-OECD world): How can we conceptually capture processes of norm-diffusion?  How do local actors react to the normative requirements they are confronted with by international actors, and under what conditions do such confrontations lead to an internalization of norms, their rejection, or their modification at the local level?  Of special interest in this context are the role of sanctions versus persuasion in the justificatory process.  Finally, are there also examples of bottom-up norm diffusion in which the roles of norm-taker and norm-giver are interchanged?

The panel invites empirical contributions concerning “successful” or “unsuccessful” processes of norm diffusion, as well as theoretical conceptualizations of such processes from both political science and social-cultural anthropology.  Papers that combine the two perspectives are especially welcome.

Samstag, 24.10.
IG Farben-Gebäude 254

9.00-9.20 Uhr   
Katharina Glaab (Münster)/Stephan Engelkamp (Münster): „Reisrituale“ und „GM-Food“. Normdiffusion in Indien und Südostasien zwischen Mythen und diskursiven Praktiken

9.20-9.40 Uhr   
Malte Gephart (Hamburg): Herausforderungen für die Anti-Korruptionskampagne im Spannungsverhältnis zwischen internationaler und lokaler Ebene

9.40-10.00 Uhr   
Sarah Fichtner (Mainz): Education for All and All for Education – Processes of Norm Diffusion in Benin’s Primary Education Sector

10.00-10.30 Uhr   
Diskussion

10.30-10.45 Uhr   
Kaffeepause

10.45-11.05 Uhr   
Claudia Hofmann (Berlin): NGOs als Normenhändler: Die Sozialisierung nichtstaatlicher Gewaltakteure in der Konfliktbearbeitung

11.05-11.25 Uhr   
Katja Mielke (Bonn): Aufeinanderprall und Diffusion von Normen in der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit am Beispiel Nordostafghanistans

11.25-12.15 Uhr   
Diskussion