Stefan, CG orcid.org/0000-0002-0706-2082 and Weiss,TG (2010) Misrepresenting R2P and Advancing Norms: An Alternative Spiral? International Studies Perspectives, 11 (4). pp. 354-374. ISSN 1528-3585
Abstract
International relations scholars generally argue that norm-building requires a number of successful cases. This essay, however, is about three concrete examples when virtually everyone—except for the state citing it—disputes the legitimacy of applying the emerging norm of the responsibility-to-protect (R2P). Misrepresentations of humanitarian intentions can be disingenuous and geopolitically driven, as was the case for the US and UK war in Iraq and the Russian claim to protect South Ossetians, or disinterested but wrong, as was the French invocation of R2P for Burma. These cases suggest that misuses can advance norms through contestation and conceptual clarification. Because contestation prompts debates, denial, and tactical concessions on the norm in question, it is insightful to compare and contrast R2P's development against the early stages of two theoretical models that deal most explicitly with contestation: the “spiral” of human rights change and the “cascade” of norm development.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | responsibility to protect; norm contestation; Iraq; Burma; South Ossetia |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Law (Leeds) > School of Politics & International Studies (POLIS) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 11 Jul 2019 13:41 |
Last Modified: | 11 Jul 2019 13:41 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/j.1528-3585.2010.00412.x |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:94431 |