ABSTRACT
This chapter is dedicated to the theoretical and conceptual foundations of normative controversy. It examines four different elements of normative controversy and their discussion in the literature: international norms, legitimacy, politicisation, and justification. The focus is on the contestation of international norms, the role of legitimacy claims for processes of legitimation and delegitimation, the politicisation of decision-making processes by international organisations, and the normativity inherent in justification as an act of giving reasons in situations of perceived injustice. The chapter concludes by identifying justification as an overarching concept which captures the essence of normative controversy and also serves to link its four elements.
