Norm Diffusion in International Peace Mediation

Abstract

This chapter elucidates the relevance of norm diffusion as a strategic tool through which mediators assert not only their control over the peacemaking process, but manage to use it to institute, consolidate and boost their international relevance, credibility and reputation more generally. While both legitimacy and soft power have received ample attention from various subfields in social sciences, surprisingly, very little is known about the role they play in international mediation broadly, and norm diffusion through mediation in particular. Building on existing international relations literature on legitimacy and soft power, the chapter aims to address this gap and examine which factors enable or deter norm diffusion through mediation, and their impact on mediators’ choices in peacemaking.