Power, Mechanisms, and Denunciations: Understanding Compliance with Human Rights in International Relations
| Author | Elise Rousseau |
| Published date | 01 November 2018 |
| Date | 01 November 2018 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/1478929918768979 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Political Studies Review
2018, Vol. 16(4) 318 –330
© The Author(s) 2018
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DOI: 10.1177/1478929918768979
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https://doi.org/10.1177/1478929918768979
Political Studies Review
2018, Vol. 16(4) 318 –330
© The Author(s) 2018
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/1478929918768979
journals.sagepub.com/home/psrev
Power, Mechanisms, and
Denunciations: Understanding
Compliance with Human
Rights in International
Relations
Elise Rousseau
Abstract
The four volumes on human rights norms reviewed here investigate a puzzle introduced by
quantitative studies, which shows that the expansion of commitments with human rights does not
guarantee compliance with these rights in practice. Going beyond the classical opposition between
constructivism and rationalism, the volumes explore the conditions and mechanisms that are likely
to close this ‘compliance gap’. This essay starts by reviewing the arguments of the books before
focusing on two major themes: compliance mechanisms and international denunciations. It argues
that the introduction of ‘reintegrative shaming’ and ‘stigma’ to compliance research may help
refine current knowledge on normative change and resistance to change.
Betts A and Orchard P (eds) (2014) Implementation and World Politics: How International Norms
Change Practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Friman HR (2015) The Politics of Leverage in International Relations: Name, Shame, and Sanctions.
Basingstoke; New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Hafner-Burton E (2013) Making Human Rights a Reality. Princeton, NJ; Oxford: Princeton University
Press.
Risse T, Ropp SC, and Sikkink K (eds) (2013) The Persistent Power of Human Rights: From Commitment
to Compliance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Keywords
human rights, international norms, compliance mechanisms, naming and shaming, stigma
Accepted: 10 March 2018
Despite the mixed results of naming and shaming campaigns, it is still the most widely
used tool to induce compliance with human rights norms abroad. One of the rhetorical
tactics adopted by transnational advocacy networks (TANs) in such circumstances is to
University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
Corresponding author:
Elise Rousseau, Department of Political, Social, and Communication Sciences, University of Namur, Rue de
Bruxelles 61, 5000 Namur, Belgium.
Email: elise.rousseau@unamur.be
768979PSW0010.1177/1478929918768979Political Studies ReviewRousseau
research-article2018
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