Main Article Content
Abstract
This paper explores the extent to which state-identity exerts influence on national-interest building by a nation-state. The connection between identity and interest induces procedures of international norm-making and norm-adherence into corresponding with national interests. In International Relations (IR); culture, norms, and identity are intertwined concepts that manifest in socio-political institutions. State behaviour can be better understood against the interplay between these three factors that make a combined impact on the participation of states in international norms. State-identity is recognized as a critical influence on national-interest formation exemplified in international norms through interactive processes between states. Producing international norms is procedurally complicated having multiple inputs from states having values and interests to promote, hence, adherence to them are products of several inter and intra-institutional processes. International norms can overlap in issue-areas and are not always codified or institutionalized, making adherence to them ad hoc depending on the state and the norm. Additionally, state behavior is subject to change as national interests evolve, thus affecting international norm-adherence and making state-identity a relevant factor in its operationality.