Making Change: Norm-Based Strategies for Institutional Change to Address Intractable Problems. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raymond, Leigh; Weldon, S. Laurel; Kelly, Daniel; Arriaga, Ximena B.; Clark, Ann Marie
• Is Part Of: Political research quarterly. Volume 67:Number 1(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 197
• Page End: 211
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: norms -- informal institutions -- policy change -- framing -- violence against women -- climate change; Political science -- Periodicals; Science politique -- Périodiques; 320
• DOI: 10.1177/1065912913510786
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1065-9129

Abstract

This paper identifies and describes two new norm-based strategies for institutional change to address intractable social problems. In both strategies, advocates "foreground" and criticize norms supporting the institutional status quo before either promoting an alternative existing norm via normative reframing of the issue, or creating and promoting an entirely new norm via normative innovation to build support for new institutional arrangements. Drawing on examples of institutional change addressing the problems of climate change and violence against women, the analysis illustrates how these strategies are especially effective in the face of opposition from vested interests or problematic existing norms.