Political norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that guide how political actors—such as government officials, parties, and citizens—are supposed to behave within a political system.
While laws are formally written and enforceable, norms are informal but still powerful because they shape acceptable conduct and maintain stability in political institutions.
Key Characteristics of Political Norms:
- Unwritten: They are not part of formal legal codes.
- Shared Expectations: They reflect a common understanding of appropriate behavior.
- Enforced by Reputation and Pressure: Violating norms can lead to loss of trust, credibility, or political support.
- Evolve Over Time: Norms can change as political culture and society change.
Examples of Political Norms:
- Respect for election results: Politicians are expected to accept legitimate election outcomes.
- Peaceful transfer of power: Outgoing leaders peacefully hand over authority to incoming ones.
- Checks and balances: Leaders generally respect the independence of other branches of government.
- Civility and compromise: Lawmakers are expected to negotiate and cooperate across party lines.
- Avoiding misuse of power: Leaders avoid using state institutions (like courts or police) for personal or partisan gain.
Why Political Norms Matter:
- Political norms support democracy by promoting trust, fairness, and stability. When norms erode, even a system with strong written laws can experience polarization, corruption, or authoritarian behavior.
Some examples of how political norms have changed in recent U.S. politics or globally.
1. Judicial Appointments
- Traditional norm: Presidents consulted senators of both parties and avoided confirming Supreme Court justices close to an election.
-Change: In 2016, the Senate refused to consider President Obama’s nominee (Merrick Garland), citing the upcoming election—but confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett just days before the 2020 election.
Impact: Erosion of bipartisan cooperation and trust in the judicial appointment process.
2. Filibuster and Legislative Cooperation
- Traditional norm: Senators used the filibuster sparingly, mainly for issues of deep national significance.
- Change: The filibuster became a routine partisan weapon, blocking most major legislation.
Impact: Increased gridlock and decreased compromise in Congress.
3. Respect for Electoral Outcomes
- Traditional norm: Losing candidates conceded elections promptly and peacefully.
- Change: The refusal by some leaders to accept certified election results after the 2020 U.S. election challenged this norm.
Impact: Weakened public trust in elections and peaceful transfers of power.
4. Presidential Conduct
Traditional norm: Presidents avoided personal attacks on judges, the media, or law enforcement agencies.
Change: Recent presidents have frequently criticized these institutions publicly, questioning their legitimacy.
➡️ Impact: Undermined respect for independent institutions and norms of presidential restraint.
