This book's focus on meanings of norms, frictions between interpretations and subsequent conflicts among international actors reflects a sign of the times of extending social practices beyond the boundaries of modern nation-states. It is likely to be lost on those who are not part of the process. In turn, those who participate in global travel and discussion usually neither move in large stable groups, nor spend much time thinking about those left ‘at home’. As a result, experiences and expectations about fair, just and legitimate politics become increasingly fragmented. With more movement yet less time to ponder and probe, the potential for understanding the interpretation of others and the ability to tolerate difference is at risk. In fact, cultural differences often either remain unnoticed or turn into the invisible yet influential elephant in the room. This book's research on contested interpretations of fundamental norms addresses the phenomenon of a gap between shared perceptions of what is just and fair, on the one hand, and individual experience, on the other. It proposes to overcome the gap by focusing on cultural validation as the way in which meaning-in-use is enacted.

The desire to explore this gap's impact on politics emerged through travels across the Atlantic and across the Channel.