International organizations reflect and promote international norms. Changes in international norms are one source of change in international organizations. But before they become hegemonic at the international level, proto-norms must first gain a foothold at the domestic level. Norm entrepreneurs are seldom able to achieve international breakthroughs without the backing of powerful states that have already been converted. Norms become âinternalizedâ and hegemonic only when they are adopted by many other states that may sign on to them without a strong domestic movement supporting this move. Old domestic ânormsâ, however, never die. Competing memes (Florini 1996) persist even within key states pushing the proto-norm. Social learning inside the state, even states that push the norm internationally, may be shallower than supposed. Internal actors may temporarily support the norm for reasons of their own, and coalitions can break apart when circumstances change. Eddies of outright resistance remain even when a norm appears to be hegemonic. These provide a latent, receptive audience for those who would challenge a norm. These can link up nationally and internationally resulting in a counter-Boomarang effect. Challengers may draw upon distinctive, competing norms, but as Skowronek (2006) and Lakoff (2006) suggest, they may also challenge a dominant norm by cloaking âold normsâ in the discourse of the new. The effect is to âredirectâ the norm towards result quite different than that originally intended. In the process, the repute of the norm entrepreneurs is challenged as is their position as interpreters of the norm, weakening the key supporters for the original version of the norm. The outcome of this contest, however, may not be a clear victory for either side. Instead, because the terms of debate are altered, this process may well produce a hybrid of the two competing norms.This paper examines the growing popular challenge to the anti-whaling orientation of the International Whaling Commission, where a majority of states recently (in 2006) adopted a resolution condemning anti-whaling NGOs that have dominated it for twenty years. It examines the eddies of resistance in key anti-whaling states and how these have developed and networked with interests beyond their shores. It focuses on the discourse of those who oppose the blanket moratorium on commercial whaling, looking at how they have portrayed themselves and their opposition, how they argue their case today and what allies they have found. In concluding, the paper will address whether these processes are likely to result in the conversion of key anti-whaling states. Are pro-whaling proto-norm entrepreneurs likely to establish a hegemonic norm of their own, will the process yield a new, hybrid norm or is the historically turbulent IWC fated carry on its precarious existence? ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]