Norm contestation is prevalent in international affairs: Legal ambiguities and tensions generate debate, even when well-established international norms are applied to concrete situations. This book discusses a wide range of norm disputes and develops a rhetorical approach to the politics of international norms. Anette Stimmer demonstrates how actors can agree or disagree on the norm frame (norm-based justification) and/or behavioural claim (implementing action) when applying international law. Thus, norm contestation can have four “alternate endings”: norm impasse, norm neglect, norm recognition, and norm clarification. These alternate endings affect the clarity and strength of the contested norms, as well as subsequent debate, differently. Furthermore, Stimmer explains how the three elements of rhetoric – speakers (including delegation to agents), argumentation, and audience reactions – influence the duration and outcome of contestation. This rhetorical approach is applied to eight norm disputes, ranging from military interventions to contestation over the human rights of terror suspects.

‘Anette Stimmer's volume is a valuable contribution to the literature on norm contestation. Through eight perceptive case studies, she constructs a typology of ‘alternate endings' to debates on high profile security incidents. Theoretically rich and empirically grounded, both international relations and international legal scholars will benefit from her insights.'

Ian Johnstone - Professor of International Law, The Fletcher School, Tufts University

‘Anette Stimmer introduces a research programme to capture strategic norm contestation based on the typology of ‘alternate endings' when studying disputes over ‘hard' legal norms in international politics. By succinctly introducing the language of constructivist norms research to more principal-agent minded scholars this exceedingly well-written book also succeeds in establishing new middle-ground in International Relations. A must-read for students of International Law and IR alike!'

Antje Wiener - Professor of Political Science & Law, University of Hamburg and By-Fellow Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge

‘This book unpacks different pathways of norm contestation. Most importantly, it analyzes combinations of frame and claim contestation, and how they affect the precision and scope of international norms. Based on eight rich and detailed case studies, it offers a central framework for understanding international contestation dynamics.'

Lisbeth Zimmermann - Professor of International Relations, Goethe University Frankfurt

‘International politics, like all politics, is conditioned by social and legal norms. Yet the indeterminacy of such norms means that their meaning and application are often highly contested. Anette Stimmer's path-breaking book provides a new, highly compelling framework for understanding the nature and effects of such contestation. Her ‘alternate endings' typologies provides not only an insightful window on different modalities of contestation, but also helps us better understand how different forms of contestation strengthen or weaken international norms. Theoretically smart and empirically rich, this book is a must read for everyone interested in the politics of international norms.'

Christian Reus-Smit - Professor of International Relations, University of Melbourne