International Norms, Normative Change, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Noha Shawki is associate professor in the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University.

• Chapter 1: Norm Evolution and Change: Analyzing the Negotiation of the Sustainable Development Goals, Noha ShawkiPart I. Environmental SustainabilityChapter 2: Oceans and Seas, Miriam C. Balgos, Biliana Cicin-Sain, and Erica WalesChapter 3: Sustainable Energy for All: Integrated Approaches to Energy under a 2030 Development Agenda, Eric Zusman, Simon Høiberg Olsen, Tetsuro Yoshida, and Ryoko NakanoChapter 4: Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Caleb GallemorePart II. Social SustainabilityChapter 5: Health For All, Mudita DaveChapter 6: Inequality Within and Among Countries, FaizaShaheenChapter 7: Peaceful and Inclusive Societies, Sarah HearnChapter 8: Achieving Gender Equality and Empowering all Women and Girls, Selamawit Tesfaye and Rachael WyantPart III. Economic SustainabilityChapter 9: Sustainable Consumption and Production, Livia Bizikova and Lynn M. WagnerChapter 10: Trade and Development, Osaore AideyanChapter 11: Full Employment and Decent Work in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, Diane F. Frey and Gillian MacNaughton

This edited work is well interwoven with each contribution and theme speaking to an aspect of the debate within constructivism and norms. The Editor of the volume, Noha Shawki, states: “The purpose of this volume is to assess the origins, nature, extent, and implications of normative change in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”I believe the innovation in this contribution will enrich and add sophistication to the debate on norm contestation after norms have been institutionalized. The argument that norms don’t remain stable after institutionalization is very well made and compelling. The comparison of Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) analyzed through normative theory is illuminating.This volume is a cutting edge contribution that should be read by graduate students and faculty in International Relations, Global Environmental Politics, Development Economics and really everyone concerned with the welfare of the planet and transformative ideas.