NORMS

POL 370F

PROF.BENJAMINBARTLETT

MIAMI UNIVERSITY

WHAT IS A NORM?

• A norm is astandard of behaviorthat is intersubjectively shared(i.e., multiple actors must believe in and follow the standard).
• Anormeither tells actorshowtheymustbehaveorhowtheymustnotbehave(inthelattercase,sometimescalledataboo).
• Actors may be more or less aware of the norm.
• Sometimes just something you do; like shaking hands when youmeetsomeone.

FOUR DIMENSIONS OF A NORM

1. Identity: to whom does the norm apply?
2. Behavior:what are the actions the norm requires(or forbids)?
3. Propriety: on what basis does the norm label behavior asappropriate or inappropriate?
4. Collective Expectations: to what degree do others expect the normto be followed?

EXAMPLE ONE: BOWING IN JAPAN

1. Identity: Japanese people
2. Behavior: bow when greeting people, or when departing from them
3. Propriety: cultural
4. CollectiveExpectation: high (it wouldbeprettystrangeandrudeifsomeonedidnotbow)
• But note: only ifother Japanese peopledo not bow

EXAMPLE TWO: NO-MEAT FRIDAYS DURING LENT

1. Identity: Catholics
2. Behavior: avoid eating meat on Fridays during Lent
3. Propriety: religious
4. Collective Expectation: relatively low (would not be that surprisedif another Catholic did not follow this tradition, probably wouldnot be especiallyoffendedbythis)

EXAMPLE THREE: NO MURDERING

1. Identity: all human beings
2. Behavior: do not kill people outside of specific circumstances suchas war
3. Propriety: legal and ethical
4. Collective Expectation: high

WHEN CREATING A NEW NORM, CAN CONSIDERTRADE-OFFS ALONG THESE FOUR DIMENSIONS

1. Identity:thesmallerormorelike-mindedthegroup,theeasiertocreate thenorm.
2. Behavior:morespecific normsareeasiertomonitor,butmaylackflexibility.
3. Propriety:thenatureofthenormwillbeheavily shaped by this; some typesof propriety are not universal
4. Collective Expectation: may be easier to get a “weak” norm, and sometimesthis will be better than nothing (and may strengthen over time)

THREE TOOLS FOR PROPAGATING NORMS

1. Incentives: either reward following the norm, or punish notfollowing the norm.
2. Persuasion:convinceotheractorsthatanormisvalidandappropriatethroughdiscussionandargumentation.
3. Socialization: rely on other actors’ desire to belong to lead themto emulate norm-followers.

CONCLUSION

• Norms tell actors what they should or should not do.
• Normshavefourdimensions:identity,behavior, propriety, and collectiveexpectation.
• Anormentrepreneurseeking to create a new norm can consider trade-offs along all fourdimensions.
• Therearethreetoolsforpropagating norms: incentives, persuasion, andsocialization.