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The politics of numbers : the normative agendas of global benchmarking

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Broome, André and Quirk, Joe (2015) The politics of numbers : the normative agendas of global benchmarking. Review of International Studies, 41 (5). pp. 813-818. doi:10.1017/S0260210515000339

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0260210515000339

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Abstract

Global benchmarks have grown exponentially over the last two decades, having been both applied to and developed by states, international organisations, corporations, and non-governmental organisations. As a consequence, global benchmarking is now firmly established as a distinct mode of transnational governance. Benchmarking chiefly involves the development of comparative metrics of performance, which typically take the form of highly stylised comparisons which are generated by translating complex phenomena into numerical values via simplification and extrapolation, commensuration, reification, and symbolic judgements. This process of translation takes what might otherwise be highly contentious normative agendas and converts them into formats that gain credibility through rhetorical claims to neutral and technocratic assessment. This politics of numbers has far-reaching ramifications for transnational governance, including the dimensions and effects of indirect power, expertise and agenda-setting, coordination, regulation and certification, and norm contestation and activism. This Special Issue draws upon an emerging literature to explore how and why benchmarks both align with and expand upon established models of International Relations theory and scholarship. It does so by critically examining the role of global benchmarks in key areas such as state ‘failure’, global supply chains, disaster management, economic governance, corporate social responsibility, and human development.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: J Political Science > JC Political theory
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > Politics and International Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Benchmarking (Management), Globalization
Journal or Publication Title: Review of International Studies
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISSN: 0260-2105
Official Date: December 2015
Dates:
DateEvent
December 2015Published
25 November 2015Available
Volume: 41
Number: 5
Page Range: pp. 813-818
DOI: 10.1017/S0260210515000339
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder: European Commission (EC), University of Warwick. Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS), University of the Witwatersrand
Grant number: 266809 (EC)

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