| Summary: | This thesis examines the evolution of international humanitarian concern
culminating in adoption of a Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) banning these
weapons in May 2008. It is based on systematic analysis of official documents,
extensive interviews, participant-observation, and several bodies of international
relations (IR) theory.
Part I explains the research methodology and discusses the theoretical context
for the thesis. It is argued that several core assumptions of rationalist-materialist
approaches to IR theory impede understanding of the CCM¿s emergence, and thus the
thesis adopts an interpretivist framework. The four chapters of Part II analyse
international efforts on cluster munitions including prior, failed attempts to restrict
cluster munitions, the emergence of an international campaign from 2003, ensuing
activity involving states, international organisations and civil society, and the CCM¿s
eventual negotiation involving more than 100 states.
Part III marries this empirical account to theoretical analysis of four thesis
propositions. It is concluded that non-state actor-engendered processes of evidence
collection and analysis, learning and frame alignment were central to the Oslo process¿s
emergence. The Oslo Declaration¿s particular humanitarian framing (to ban cluster
munitions causing unacceptable harm to civilians) and the structure of the subsequent
¿define-and-ban¿ discourse permitted convergence between states over prohibiting
these weapons. Nevertheless, they contain implications for other international efforts
aimed at controlling means of armed violence.
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