Constructivism

Question 1

What is constructivism’s arrival in IR associated with?

Answer 1

• The end of the Cold War

- An event that traditional theories e.g. realism + liberalism, failed to account for

Question 2

Why did realism and liberalism fail to account for the end of the Cold War? (2)

Answer 2

• State-centric nature
• It was the actions of ordinary people that ensured the end of Cold War, not those of states or international organisations

Question 3

How does constructivism see the world? (2)

Answer 3

• Constructivism sees the world, and what we can know about the world, as socially constructed
• Actors continually shape the nature of ir

Question 4

What did constructivist Alexander Wendt illustrate? (2)

Answer 4

• Illustrates the social construction of reality

- 500 British nuclear weapons less threatening to US than 5 North Korean WMDs

Question 5

Why does the US find North Korean WMDs more threatening? (4)

Answer 5

• Identifications not caused by nuclear weapons (the material structure)
• But rather by the meaning given to the material structure (ideational structure)
• Shared understanding of each other’s intentions forms basis of state’s interactions
• WMDs by themselves do not have any meaning unless we understand social context

Question 6

What do Alexander Wendt’s findings demonstrate about constructivism? (3)

Answer 6

• That constructivists go beyond material reality by including the effects of ideas + beliefs on world politics
• That reality is always under construction, which opens up prospect for change
• Thus meanings are not fixed but can change over time depending on ideas + beliefs that actors hold

Question 7

How are agency and structure mutually constituted? (2)

Answer 7

• Structures influence agency

- Agency influences structures

Question 8

What is structure?

Answer 8

Refers to the international system that consists of material and ideational elements

Question 9

What is agency?

Answer 9

The ability of someone to act

Question 10

Can the US and North Korea have a friendly social relationship?
Why does this differ from a realist perspective? (4)

Answer 10

• Currently, the intersubjective structure (the shared ideas and beliefs among states) is one of enmity
• But the US and North Korea are actors who have agency to change this social relationship, if they are willing to change beliefs and ideas held by their states
• This stance differs from realists, who argue that anarchy determines behaviour of states
• Constructivists argue that anarchy is what states make of it

Question 11

What are identities?

Answer 11

Identities are representations of an actor’s understanding of who they are, which in turn signals their interest

Question 12

What do constructivists argue about identities?

Answer 12

• States can have multiple identities

- That are socially constructed through interaction with other actors

Question 13

Why is the identity of a small state different to that of a large state? (3)

Answer 13

• The identity of a small state implies a set of interests different from those implied by the identity of a large state
• Small state is arguably more focused on its survival
• Whereas the large state is concerned with dominating global political, economic + military affairs

Question 14

Why should the actions of a state be aligned to its identity?

Answer 14

A state can not act contrary to its identity because this will call into question the validity of the identity, including its preferences

Question 15

What are social norms?

Answer 15

A standard of appropriate behaviour for actors with a given identity

Question 16

What is the logic of appropriateness? (3)

Answer 16

• States that conform to a certain identity are expected to comply w. norms associated with that identity
• Expectation that some kinds of behaviour and action are more acceptable that others
• Logic of appropriateness: where actors behave in certain ways as they believe that this behaviour is appropriate

Question 17

What is the lifecycle of norms?

Answer 17

A norm only becomes expected behaviour when a critical mass of relevant states adopt it and internalise it in their own practices

Question 18

Why is climate change an example of the lifecycle of norms? (4)

Answer 18

• Constructivists argue that the bulk of states have come together to develop climate change mitigation policies
• Because it is the right thing to do for the survival of humanity
• This has, over decades of diplomacy and advocacy become an appropriate behaviour
• That the bulk of citizens expect their leaders to adhere to

Question 19

Why would liberals and realists reject climate change mitigation policies?

Answer 19

Liberals: In favour of continued economic growth + pursuing innovative scientific solutions
Realists: Due to damage climate policies may do to short-term national interests

Question 20

What are the key tenets of conventional constructivists? (5)

Answer 20

• POSTIVIST EPISTEMOLOGY
• Ask ‘what’-type questions, e.g. what causes an actor to act
• Explain world in causal terms + interested in relationships between actors, social norms, interests + identities
• Assume actors act according to their identity
• Investigate which factors caused particular aspects of a state’s identity to change

Question 21

What are the key tenets of critical constructivists? (4)

Answer 21

• INTERPRETAVIST EPISTEMOLOGY
• Ask ‘how’-type questions, e.g. how do actors come to believe in a certain identity
• Not interested in the impact of identity
• Language plays a key role for critical constructivists, because it constructs + has ability to change, social reality

Question 22

Where do most constructivists position themselves?

Answer 22

Position themselves on a continuum between these two more extreme ends of the spectrum

Question 23

Where is Bhutan?

Answer 23

A Buddhist kingdom located in the Himalayas

Question 24

What are the material structural conditions of Bhutan?

• Population
• Economy
• Military
• Borders
• Geographically sensitive?

Answer 24

• Population: 745,000
• Weak economy
• Small military
• Shares national border w. two major powersL China in north, India in south
• Geographically sensitive as Bhutan serves as buffers between these two rival major powers

Question 25

What would a realist perspective argue about Bhutan’s material structural conditions? (2)

Answer 25

• Bhutan is in unfavourable position as its hindered by its geographical location + cannot compete for power with its neighbours
• Preservation of national sovereignty will depend on the outcome of the greater competition between China + India

Question 26

What would a constructivist view argue about Bhutan’s material conditions? (2)

Answer 26

• Structural conditions do not constrain Bhutan’s ability to pursue national interests
• As not the only conditions that influence state behaviour

Question 27

What do constructivists argue also matters, concerning the material structural conditions of Bhutan? (4)

Answer 27

• The meaning given to these structural conditions also matters
• e.g. when Tibet was annexed by China, Bhutan felt threatened and turned to India
• To this day, Bhutan still perceives China as potential threat + India as a friend
• These social relationships represent the ideational structure that originated from the meaning given to material structure

Question 28

Why might the relationship between Bhutan and China change? (2)

Answer 28

• Social relationships are subject to change, depending on ideas, beliefs + actions of Bhutan, India + China
• e.g. an agreement on the border dispute between China and Bhutan could lead to a friendship

Question 29

How have the Bhutanese elite created an identity of Bhutan as a leader in advancing a holistic and sustainable development paradigm?

Answer 29

• This identity is based on Bhutan’s development philosophy, Gross National Happiness
• Criticises the GDP approach for being solely focused on the economy of a state

Question 30

What has projecting their country as a leader in advancing a holistic and sustainable development paradigm enabled Bhutanese authorities to signal? (2)

Answer 30

• Their country’s status as an independent sovereign state
• Allowed Bhutan to increase its international visibility, which is advantageous when tensions run high with and among its neighbours