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University of Denver

Norm Articulation in International Organizations: Democracy, Governance, and Participation at the UNDP and the World Bank

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Constructivist analyses of international norm articulation assume that norm articulation happens through the process of international discussion and agreement, yet such works lack a rigorous analysis of how international organizations articulate norms for the world internal to the organization. Further, analyses of international organization norm articulation almost completely ignore the important influence of leadership. This dissertation analyzes two distinct norms of gender equality and participation in two international organizations, the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. The theory developed here argues that the leader's ability to influence norm articulation is dependent on the organizational culture which reflexively impacts the influence of the leader. Leadership drivers of norm articulation include major speeches, influence over and relationship with organizational Executive Boards, and punishment and reward tactics. In analyzing gender equality and participation, I argue that the two organizations articulated the norms differently based on different logics of governance. The World Bank prioritizes government public service delivery efficiency and effectiveness in achieving development goals, while the UNDP favors civil society empowerment and participation in decision-making procedures and government policies. These logics affect the way the leader is able to articulate the norm and impacts the final articulation into policy and practice for both organizations.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph.D.
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Year dc:date.available
2014

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • O'Dell, Roni Kay Marie
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Timothy Sisk, Ph.D.
  • Rachel Epstein
  • Jack Donnelly
  • Deborah Avant

Subjects

dc:subject × 10

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>
Language dc:language
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/482
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-1481

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Denver
Base URL
digitalcommons.du.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

O'Dell, Roni Kay Marie. Norm Articulation in International Organizations: Democracy, Governance, and Participation at the UNDP and the World Bank. Dissertation thesis, 2014. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/482