Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2019
Abstract
One way to tell if an international norm is robust is to assess the breadth of its support from a wide variety of important actors. We argue that to assess norm robustness, we should look at the general beliefs, rhetorical support, and actions of both primary and secondary norm addressees (states and non-state actors) at various levels: international, regional, domestic and local. By way of example, we evaluate the robustness of international criminal law (ICL) norms by looking at the rhetoric and actions of a diverse set of international actors, including not only states and intergovernmental organizations but also ordinary publics, rebel groups, and non-governmental organizations. Assessing evidence of norms beyond states leads us to conclude that the core ICL norms are robust but their practical and institutional applicability are still contested. Contestation over applicability is important and there are hints that it is growing, at least among some key actors, suggesting the possibility of ICL norm decay.
Keywords
Norms, international criminal law, international humanitarian law, International Criminal Court, security and human rights, public opinion
Publication Title
Journal of Global Security Studies
Repository Citation
Simmons, Beth A. and Jo, Hyeran, "Measuring Norms and Normative Contestation: The Case of International Criminal Law" (2019). All Faculty Scholarship. 2055.
https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/faculty_scholarship/2055
Included in
Courts Commons, Criminal Law Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, Human Rights Law Commons, International Humanitarian Law Commons, International Law Commons, Law and Society Commons
Publication Citation
4 J. Global Security Stud. 18 (2019)