Constructivism Flashcards
What does Alexander Wendt mean when he says “anarchy is what states make of it”? or Self help and power politics are institutions not essential features of anarchy….explain.
Self help and power politics are institutions not essential features of anarchy….I argue that self-help and power politics do not
follow either logically or causally from anarchy and that if today we find
ourselves in a self-help world, this is due to process, not structure
Wendt on classical vs neoclassical realism
politics behaviour echoing human nature or emphasis on anarchy
What is meant by structure and process
structure is anarchy and distribution of power/process is interaction and learning and institutions
What is meant by reflectivist
social theories which seek to explain identities and interests - Keohane has called them “reflectivist
How does Wendt argue agst realism
- self-interested conceptions of security are not a constitutive property of anarchy eg states act differently towards enemies than towards friends- “intersubjetive understandings and expectations. identities are the basis of interests
- self help and competitiive power politics may be produced causally
What does Wendt propose
Adding a fourth element to Waltz’s three part definition of structure to go from structure to action (A structure is defined first by the principle by which it is ordered or organized, then by the differentiation and specification of its units, and finally by the distribution of capabilities across units).: the intersubjectively constituted
structure of identities and interests in the system.
Theory of structured realism
Structural realism holds that the nature of the international structure is defined by its ordering principle, anarchy, and by the distribution of capabilities (measured by the number of great powers within the international system). The anarchic ordering principle of the international structure is decentralized, meaning there is no formal central authority; every sovereign state is formally equal in this system. These states act according to the logic of egoism, meaning states seek their own interest and will not subordinate their interest to the interests of other states
What is meant by the term idenitities
Actors acquire identities—relatively stable, role-specific understandings and
expectations about self—by participating in such collective meanings. Identities are the basis of intrests
How does one describe the idea that self help is causally produced - not endemic to the system
It is through reciprocal interaction, in other words, that we create and
instantiate the relatively enduring social structures in terms of which we define
our identities and interests. - do-determination
Predator states and anarchy
Some states have self regarding not collective identities….the predator argument. But, this does not necessarily result in war.Identities and interests are relationship-specific, not intrinsic
attributes of a “portfolio”; states may be competitive in some relationships and
solidary in others.
How are identities created
- through density and regularity of interaction
- dissatisfaction with pre-existing forms of identify and interaction
institutionalise a mode of subjectivity and allow behaviour to substantiate the norm
How would a neorealist or constructivist argue the non invasion of a weaker state
- realist would argue that sanctions or no interest or such would deter
- liberal might argue institutional sanction
- The
intersubjective understandings embodied in the institution of sovereignty, in
other words, may redefine the meaning of others’ power for the security of the
self.
How would a constructivist explain Gorbachev’s new thinking strategy
- a reason for actor to recast new social conditions that cannot be managed by pre-existig self conceptions
- unexpected cost of intentential role change cannot be greater than rewars
What is the nuclear taboo
widespread popular revulsion against nuclear weapons and their use
regulative norms
which order and constrain
behavior,
