Practical norms

Abstract

This chapter argues that social norms are not the only alternative to official norms and are not a satisfactory solution to the gap problem. It describes the need for a concept such as practical norms and analyses its status as an exploratory concept. The chapter presents a brief theoretical overview of some writings about regulated practices, suggests that the concept of practical norms fills an analytical vacuum, expands the field of normative pluralism and is situated in an 'agency' perspective. It outlines the complex relations that practical norms entertain with official norms and social norms, as a space for gaming and a space of transformations. The chapter describes the internal diversity of the world of practical norms in African administrations. It then concludes by some considerations about the role such a concept can play in and out Africa, and in the domain of development.