Global Economics Monthly: APEC and EAS: All about Norms

The recent Syria crisis has highlighted the challenges of global governance in the twenty-first century, as well as the limits to U.S. influence. But it has also underscored the value of international norms, as all responsible nations have reaffirmed their abhorrence of chemical weapons. When President Obama and fellow Asia-Pacific leaders gather at back-to-back summits early next month, there will be other important norms at stake in both the security and economic realms. Just as with Syria, any jockeying for position among the players involved, or differences over tactics, should not be confused for discord over the norms themselves, which all participants have an interest in upholding.