The strongInvisiblestrong Constitution of Politics.pdfVIP

Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-89596-5 - The Invisible Constitution of Politics: Contested Norms and International Encounters Antje Wiener Frontmatter More information The Invisible Constitution of Politics As social practices now frequently extend beyond national boundaries, experiences and expectations about fair and legitimate politics have become increasingly fragmented. Our ability to understand and interpret others and to tolerate difference, rather than overcome diversity, is therefore at risk. This book focuses on the contested meanings of norms in a world of increasing international encounters. The author argues that cultural prac- tices are less visible than organisational practices, but are constitutive for politics and need to be understood and empirically ‘accounted’ for. Comparing four elite groups in Europe, Antje Wiener shows how this invisible constitution of politics matters. By comparing individual interpre- tations of norms such as democracy and human rights, she shows how they can mean different things, even to frequently travelling elite groups. A N T J E W I E N E R is Professor of Politics and International Relations in the Department of European Studies and Modern Languages at the University of Bath. © Cambridge University Press Cambridge University Press 978-0-521-89596-5 - The Invisible Constitution of Politics: Contested Norms and International Encounters Antje Wiener Frontmatter More information The Invisible Constitution of Politics Contested Norms and