Abstract

In this article, we use an adapted version of Wayne Sandholtz’s cycle of normative change to examine the dynamics of contestation of norms against incapacitating chemical agents and riot control agents, often imprecisely grouped together under the term ‘non-lethal chemical weapons’. We draw on a concept-driven analysis of statements and in-depth interviews with individual stakeholders to track the gradual development of the issue towards norm change within the Chemical Weapons Convention. Our findings highlight several key factors conducive to normative change, particularly the role of the Dubrovka incident as the ‘deviant event’, discursive decoupling of the two classes of chemicals, and new framing and ‘rebranding’ of incapacitating chemical agents as ‘CNS-acting chemicals’. At the same time, we also examine factors that significantly slowed down attempts by norm entrepreneurs to attract attention to the issue, such as the saliency of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, which effectively sidelined the problem of ‘non-lethal’ agents in the overall debate.