Coming out of the Penumbra: World Cultural Implications for Divorce

• In Event: 425 - Section on Global and Transnational Sociology Paper Session. Global Governance and Local Practices

Abstract

This study uses panel data of 82 countries to examine the global cultural influence, in addition to that of the national dynamics, on national divorce patterns. Among the several camps exploring how cultural changes at the supra-national level affect local affairs, world society theory has examined how internationally-articulated normative principles shape state policies, policy outcomes, and individual values. This study advances the world society theory in two ways. First, this study explores whether the world society effect extends to one additional realm: individual behaviors. Second, the study tests whether there is a “penumbra effect,” the specific kind of world society effect when relevant global cultural scripts are under-articulated and under-institutionalized and actors can only take their cue from fundamental world principles. The results show that, in addition to national dynamics identified by previous comparative studies, world society has a “penumbra effect” on net divorce rates. World society scripts can still be effective even when they only inform actors with fundamental principles rather than explicit instructions on normative behaviors and advanced institutionalization of such instructions. The application of this fundamental principle of individualism—that the entrance and departure from marriage should be based on the will of equal individuals—can exert influence on individuals’ behaviors especially when the level of articulation of the principles and relevant international mobilization intensify.

Author

• Cheng Tong Lir Wang, University of California-Irvine