Abstract
Although scholars are increasingly able to explain why states (do not) comply with human rights treaties, the role of social norms in compliance has been neglected. This is remarkable because human rights often directly address social norms. Our study aims to contribute to the existing literature by providing quantitative and qualitative evidence on the relationship between citizens’ social norms and compliance with human rights treaties. The quantitative results provide strong support for such a relationship. The findings from the additional qualitative analysis suggest that bargaining over (and thus changing) social norms is an important process through which compliance with human rights can be influenced.
Highlights
The implementation of human rights treaties is a critical aim of some states and many international organizations
Our study aims to contribute to the existing literature by providing quantitative and qualitative evidence concerning the relationship between citizens’ social norms and compliance with human rights treaties
If we find no relationship between social norms and compliance with the contested CEDAW, it may even be less likely to find it for more consensual treaties
Summary
The implementation of human rights treaties is a critical aim of some states and many international organizations. The explanation for the large variety in states’ human rights practices remains unsatisfactory. Concepts such as decoupling clarify why a state ratifies human rights treaties, but fail to explain the different and changing levels of compliance. This article is built on the proposition that the domestic turn in human rights studies is pivotal for a better understanding of the variations in compliance we see Social Inclusion, 2020, Volume 8, Issue 1, Pages 184–193 across the world. Our study aims to contribute to the existing literature by providing quantitative and qualitative evidence concerning the relationship between citizens’ social norms and compliance with human rights treaties. The following question guides the research: What is the role of populations’ social norms in state compliance with human rights treaties? Looking in greater depth at this case gives insights into how processes of social norm change can support compliance
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