Constructivism/Idealism Flashcards
How is constructivism different from neorealism and neoliberalism?
Both share similar concepts of rationalism (rational actor, something exogenous).
Liberalism acknowledges anarchy, but focuses on process.
–Constructivism entirely about process
What is constructivism?
Idealism: power of ideas.
Ted Hopf: recognizes heterogeneity among states. Allows for appreciating states’ differences, realism/liberalism force homogeneity on states
Social constructivism is not a theory of IR, but life in general.
—process over structure
We exist in a social construct, meaning is constructed through a series of interactions.
—Works on 1st, 2nd, 3rd images
E.G., the EU, or change from gold to paper money to e-money
What is anarchy? What is sovereignty?
Alexander Wendt: anarchy is permissive in the int’l system, due to identities.
“The sovereign state is an ongoing practice… Not a once and for all creation.” Sovereignty is practiced.
“Structure has no existence or causal powers apart from process.”
On what levels can constructivism change IR?
1) individual (collectively)
2) domestic
3) systemic
4) transnational
How might constructivism work on the 1st (individual), 2nd (makeup of state) and 3rd (individual) images?
1) Daniel Byman and Kenneth Pollack: homo politicus, leaders matter, they are socialized
2) Desch: emphasis on national/strategic culture. Such as Jack Snyder’s Cult of the Offensive
3) Wendt: anarchy is what states make of it
How might constructivism explain changes in Europe?
Norrin Ripsman: Franco-German reconciliation after 75 years of conflict took two stages:
1) transition - driven by realist factors, mainly threat of USSR/US hegemonic protection
2) stability and cooperation entrenched by liberal mechanisms
- -democratic regimes and coop int’l institutions
Explain strategic culture. On what image does it operate?
Michael Desch wrote Culture Clash, emphasizes culture. 2nd image.
- culturalist say “realism is a bankrupt theory.”
- strategic culture is a system of symbols, languages, metaphors, etc
- Desch: best used to supplement, not supplant, realism. Culture as an intervening variable.
How might domestic politics factor into war and peace?
Jack Levy wrote in “Domestic Politics and War” that:
1) not culture, but degree of differences in culture between neighbors –> war
2) democratic states more restrained
3) economic structure - free market democracies more interested in trade
4) nationalism can force a war
5) domestic politicians need a scapegoat (institutions matter here)
Explain organizational processes and bureaucratic politics
Graham Allison - “conceptual models and the Cuban missile crisis” taken from a Kennedy speech: “the essence of ultimate decision is impenetrable to the observer” (paraphrase)
- rational actors decide based on conscious calculations/unitary actors –> choice = policy
- BUT, organizational processes: semi-indep. institutions have different outputs based on SOPs, which determine interests –> output = policy
- AND, bureaucratic processes: policy as outcome of bargaining games. Separate individuals w/diff intentions –> outcome = policy
What are some critiques of constructivism?
Wendt: too much focus on ontology - not enough on empirical questions of how identities and interests are produced.
-constructivists caught in a hermeneutic circle
What is the nuclear taboo?
Nina Tannenwald identified pathways in which a taboo on using nukes developed:
-pressure from citizens
-pressure from states
-non-aligned, non-nuc states
A Nietzchean move!
-Cuban Missile Crisis a seminal event in xforming American attitudes
