Home Chapter 3. Tracking Global Diffusion
Chapter
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Chapter 3. Tracking Global Diffusion

View more publications by University of Pennsylvania Press
To Publisher Page
Chains of Justice
This chapter is in the book Chains of Justice
3Tracking Global DiffusionSometimes ideas spread rapidly, as if out of nowhere, adopted by very diverse groups and across disparate contexts. Diff usion occurs when these ideas are institutionalized across a wide range of countries, despite obvious national diff erences and local re sis tance.1 In this manner, democracy, liberalism, markets, and human rights became common parlance in the late twentieth century, em-braced by a broad segment of po liti cal elites and social groups. Th e same is true of NHRIs, which in a relatively short span of time have proliferated around the world and evolved signifi cantly. Th is chapter zeroes in on the global rise of NHRIs, off ering evidence of these institutions’ diff usion— quantitatively, I pres-ent trends and patterns showing that NHRIs have spread over time and space; qualitatively, I describe an evolving global “regime” on NHRIs (characterized by an international normative framework, cross- cutting transgovernmental net-works, and formal participatory rights and standing in international organiza-tions). Th ese developments, themselves the product of parallel global pro cesses, set the stage for understanding why specifi c NHRIs are created.When an idea diff uses globally, it does not mean that actors are committed wholly and unhypocritically to it, or that the ideas are in some way optimal or even largely benefi cial to society. Diff usion describes, fi rst and foremost, an idea’s prolif-eration across diff erent contexts; on its own, it tells us nothing of specifi c causes and consequences. And yet diff usion is remarkable in that it suggests a world of interconnectedness, where states do not make choices in isolation. Th ese choices are all the more fascinating when they entail policy areas and domestic struc-tures traditionally falling under national prerogative: Why would so many states

3Tracking Global DiffusionSometimes ideas spread rapidly, as if out of nowhere, adopted by very diverse groups and across disparate contexts. Diff usion occurs when these ideas are institutionalized across a wide range of countries, despite obvious national diff erences and local re sis tance.1 In this manner, democracy, liberalism, markets, and human rights became common parlance in the late twentieth century, em-braced by a broad segment of po liti cal elites and social groups. Th e same is true of NHRIs, which in a relatively short span of time have proliferated around the world and evolved signifi cantly. Th is chapter zeroes in on the global rise of NHRIs, off ering evidence of these institutions’ diff usion— quantitatively, I pres-ent trends and patterns showing that NHRIs have spread over time and space; qualitatively, I describe an evolving global “regime” on NHRIs (characterized by an international normative framework, cross- cutting transgovernmental net-works, and formal participatory rights and standing in international organiza-tions). Th ese developments, themselves the product of parallel global pro cesses, set the stage for understanding why specifi c NHRIs are created.When an idea diff uses globally, it does not mean that actors are committed wholly and unhypocritically to it, or that the ideas are in some way optimal or even largely benefi cial to society. Diff usion describes, fi rst and foremost, an idea’s prolif-eration across diff erent contexts; on its own, it tells us nothing of specifi c causes and consequences. And yet diff usion is remarkable in that it suggests a world of interconnectedness, where states do not make choices in isolation. Th ese choices are all the more fascinating when they entail policy areas and domestic struc-tures traditionally falling under national prerogative: Why would so many states

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Contents ix
  3. Chapter 1. The Self- Restraining State? 1
  4. Chapter 2. Historical Linkages 16
  5. Chapter 3. Tracking Global Diffusion 33
  6. Chapter 4. The Logic of Strategic Emulation 55
  7. Chapter 5. Trendsetters and Early Adopters, pre- 1990 74
  8. Chapter 6. Democratization Scripts and Bandwagoning in Africa 106
  9. Chapter 7. Transitional Myths and Everyday Politics in the Americas 153
  10. Chapter 8. Appeasement via Localization in the Asia Pacific 192
  11. Chapter 9. Membership Rites and Statehood in the New Eu rope 256
  12. Chapter 10. How Accountability Institutions Matter 310
  13. Chapter 11. Adaptive States: Making and Breaking International Law 350
  14. Notes 361
  15. Index 443
  16. Acknowledgments 479
Readers are also interested in:
https://doi.org/10.9783/9780812208931.33

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Contents ix
  3. Chapter 1. The Self- Restraining State? 1
  4. Chapter 2. Historical Linkages 16
  5. Chapter 3. Tracking Global Diffusion 33
  6. Chapter 4. The Logic of Strategic Emulation 55
  7. Chapter 5. Trendsetters and Early Adopters, pre- 1990 74
  8. Chapter 6. Democratization Scripts and Bandwagoning in Africa 106
  9. Chapter 7. Transitional Myths and Everyday Politics in the Americas 153
  10. Chapter 8. Appeasement via Localization in the Asia Pacific 192
  11. Chapter 9. Membership Rites and Statehood in the New Eu rope 256
  12. Chapter 10. How Accountability Institutions Matter 310
  13. Chapter 11. Adaptive States: Making and Breaking International Law 350
  14. Notes 361
  15. Index 443
  16. Acknowledgments 479
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 21.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.9783/9780812208931.33/html?licenseType=restricted&srsltid=AfmBOoot2sYpXrEcl5MTSz2V3WwLSnx8xf9YNcJKJpdrd9nvD83x7VNR
Scroll to top button