Abstract
This book investigates whether so-called rogue states - assumed antagonists of a Western-liberal world order - could also act as norm entrepreneurs by championing the genesis and evolution of global norms. The author explores this issue by analyzing the arms control policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
A comparison with the prototypical norm entrepreneur Sweden and the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea - a notorious norm-breaker - reveals interesting insights for norm research: Apparently, norm entrepreneurship manifests itself in different degrees and phases of the norm life cycle. The finding that Iran indeed acts as a norm entrepreneur in some cases also sheds light on those factors that might account for the success or failure of norm advocacy.
Lastly, the book offers a new perspective on "rogue states", by not only regarding them as irrational antagonists of the current world order, but also as legitimate participants in a discourse on what the ruling order should look like. This book will appeal to scholars interested in critical norm research in international relations.