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This thesis traces the evolution of the meteorological weapons taboo from its origins in the second half of the Cold War to the present day, by applying Norm Evolution Theory as a theoretical framework.  The aim of the thesis is to understand how the taboo against meteorological weapons has come about, how it has been disseminated, as well as how it has been maintained and strengthened.  The thesis utilizes two qualitative research methods – discourse and document analysis – to analyse sources such as transcripts of US Senate hearings, international arms control agreements, research papers from US military personnel, newspaper articles, and books which offer insight into the actors, motives, and mechanisms involved in the evolution of the meteorological weapons taboo.  The analysis shows the taboo emerges during the period 1971 to 1976 and reaches a tipping point in 1977, then it cascades until around 1993 and is internalized by the international community from 1994 to the present.

The thesis makes four contributions to academia and the policy world.  Firstly, it proposes an explanation beyond those put forward in existing literature for why states refrain from using weather modification for military purposes since the Vietnam War.  Secondly, it provides some answers to the larger question of where international norms originate as well as how they are maintained, disseminated, and strengthened.  Thirdly, it sheds light on important actors and mechanisms which could contribute to the normative restraint on using meteorological weapons.  Lastly, it suggests effective ways to safeguard the taboo.