The Same-Sex Unions Revolution in Western Democracies: International Norms and Domestic Policy Change

Kollman, K. (2013) The Same-Sex Unions Revolution in Western Democracies: International Norms and Domestic Policy Change. Manchester University Press: Manchester. ISBN 9780719084539

Abstract

The implementation of laws recognizing same-sex unions (SSU) by a majority of western democracies over the past two decades represents one of the most stunning cases of convergent policy change in recent times. The Same-sex Unions Revolution argues that this wave of SSU policy adoption that occurred across Western Europe and North America in the 1990s and early 2000s is, to a significant degree, the product of international norm diffusion and learning. The monograph first traces the creation of a norm for relationship recognition by transnational activists and policymakers within Europe, and describes how the dissemination of this norm has catalyzed policy change across western democracies. The second part of the monograph analyzes policy developments in four countries (USA, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands) to illustrate how and the extent to which the international norm has shaped national SSU policy debates. This comparative analysis reveals that culture—especially religious values, international norm legitimacy and national conceptions of human rights—has profoundly influenced how countries have received the SSU norm as well as their decisions about whether and what kind of SSU law to adopt (marriage vs. registered partnership vs. unregistered cohabitant).

• Item Type: Books
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kollman, Professor Kelly
• Authors: Kollman, K.
• Subjects: J Political Science > JZ International relations
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• ISBN: 9780719084539