Translating global norms into national action. Insights from the implementation of societal security norms in Sweden

Abstract

AbstractThe way in which norms diffuse from the international level and are implemented at the national level has been a key interest of social constructivists in general and norm scholars in particular for many decades. Nonetheless, surprisingly little effort has been made to understand or explain the factors that make norm implementation successful. This article sets out to systematically assess commonly highlighted implementation factors—actors, norm characteristics, and structures—to expand knowledge of whether or how these affect domestic norm implementation. To this end, the article conducts a structured, focused comparison of three cases of norms from the societal security sphere—the transportation of dangerous goods, disaster risk reduction, and cybersecurity—to explore their implementation processes in Sweden. The study explores whether, and if so how, previously suggested key factors are important when implementing global norms at the national level. The comparison concludes that the structure, including the venue for and availability of policy instruments, has been the most decisive factor in the coherent assessment of the three sample cases.