Introduction: Contestation as a Norm-Generative Social Practice.- The Normativity Premise: The Normative Power of Contestation.- The Diversity Premise: The Legitimacy Gap in International Relations.- Cultural Cosmopolitanism: Contestedness and Contestation.- Thinking Tools and Central Concepts of the Theory of Contestation.- Applying the Theory of Contestation: Three Sectors of Global Governance.- Conclusion: Why a New Theory of Contestation?.

“Wieners Vorschlag, Kontestation stärker zu theoretisieren und dabei verschiedene Ansätze zu kombinieren, ist sehr zu begrüßen. Ebenso ihr Versuch, dies durch formulierte Prämissen offenzulegen und aufzuzeigen, wo die Normenforschung anzusetzen habe. … Mit Ihrer Theory of Contestation bereitet Wiener … einen konstruktiven Einstieg in die theoretische Debatte um Normen und deren Kontestation, welche sicherlich die Grundlage für weitere Forschung bilden wird.” (Stefan Wallaschek , in: Politische Theorie und Ideengeschichte, Jg. 57, Heft 2, PVS 2016)

“In this groundbreaking work, Antje Wiener presents the first systematic account of the roles of practices of contestation in international relations and global governance. She focuses on the fundamental norm-generative power of practices of contestation - the basis of legitimacy – and maps the changes that a wide range of such practices bring about. In so doing she provides a new way of understanding change, as well as normativity, diversity and cosmopolitanism. It is a must read for anyone interested in these central issues of our time.” (James Tully, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Victoria) “Wiener’s A Theory of Contestation makes an important intervention into the field of international norms. […] [It] offers both an explanatory theory of how norms are contested and a normative defense of why they should be contested. Wiener’s argument is threefold. First, she argues that contestation generates international norms. Second, she argues that all norms are potentially contestable. Third, she argues that because contestation is central to the generation, transformation, and implementation of norms, international relations scholars should draw upon the ‘thinking tools’ developed by political theorists who work on norm contestation in the area of democratic theory.” (Jonathan Havercroft, University of Southampton)

In this groundbreaking work, Antje Wiener presents the first systematic account of the roles of practices of contestation in international relations and global governance. She focuses on the fundamental norm-generative power of practices of contestation - the basis of legitimacy - and maps the changes that a wide range of such practices bring about. In so doing she provides a new way of understanding change, as well as normativity, diversity and cosmopolitanism. It is a must read for anyone interested in these central issues of our time. James Tully, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of Victoria

Numerous tables and figures offer a helpful overview of the theory's core features Novel way of conducting critical investigations based on thinking tools Helpful guidance to comprehend deeper theoretical issues and their use for both theory building and policy decisions Explorative cases illustrate the value-added of the theory Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras