Lecture 5 Constructivism

Question 1

Timeframe

Answer 1

90s

Question 2

Level

Answer 2

3rd international/transnational

Question 3

Theoretical approach

Answer 3

Relatively new, a set of assumptions on how to study IR, doesn’t make predictions, talks about how to change the IR system

Question 4

Roots

Answer 4

Developed in psychology and sociology before IR

Question 5

Wendt

Answer 5

Constructivism is a tool for analysis rather than for prediction

Question 6

Nicolas Onuf

Answer 6

1989 coined the term in “world of our making”

Question 7

Key thinkers

Answer 7

Wendt, Onuf, Finnemore, Katzenstein, Risse, Sikkink

Question 8

2 strands of social constructivist theories

Answer 8

1 materialist social constructivist approaches - closer to classical sociology, relationship between material and normal conditions
2 idealist social constructivist approach - society constructed through inter subjectivity - social constructivism follows this

Question 9

Assumption 1 Inter system

Answer 9

Inter system doesn’t exist on its own, exist as inter-subjective awareness among people
No objective external reality
Human consciousness is a dominant factor

Question 10

Assumption 2 Nation-states

Answer 10

Nation-states are not all alike

Question 11

Assumption 3 History

Answer 11

His, pol culture, form of gov, domestic pol trends and debates shape FP

Question 12

Assumption 4 Social context

Answer 12

Social reality is not objective
Focus on how reality is socially constructed

Question 13

Assumption 5 Normative structures

Answer 13

Emphasis on the important of normative structures, role of identity in shaping pol action and on mutually constitutive relationship between agents and structures.

Question 14

Assumption 6 Social world

Answer 14

Social world is recreated through inter-subjectivity

Question 15

Assumption 7 IR

Answer 15

IR is socially constructed
States, alliances don’t exist outside human meaning

Question 16

Assumption 8 Actors

Answer 16

States but ideas underlie state paradigms about inter system
NGOs matter.

Question 17

Does structure of the system shape actors’ behavior or do actors shape the structure of the system?

Answer 17

Neorealism - nature of inter system
Liberalism - behvior of actors
Constructivism - actors and system influence each other

Question 18

Wendt on realism

Answer 18

Claimed he’s a realist but condemns it for being too materialistic. He doesn’t deny competition among states

Question 19

Assumption 9 Key interests

Answer 19

Determine key ideas as Ideas shape reality.
They help to construct social environment

Question 20

4 types of ideas

Answer 20

Ideologies - common shared beliefs
Normative ideas - about what is right and wrong
Causal beliefs - how to achieve absolute objectives
Policy prescription - facilitate policymaking

Question 21

Assumption 10 Inter norms

Answer 21

Norms are collectively shared understandings and expectations about appropriate behavior held by inter community
Norms important for construction of social environment of states.
States act in response to social norms
Inter institutions are primary carriers of cultural principles

Question 22

Why norms matter?

Answer 22

R - fear of penalty/obediance
L institutionalism - compliance, in the best interest
Constructivism - habit driven conformity

Question 23

Identity

Answer 23

How one perceives himself and how other see him. individual and collective identity

Question 24

Institutions

Answer 24

Sets of rules which stipulate how to cooperate/compete

Question 25

Organizations

Answer 25

Institutions endowed with autonomy and actor qualities

Question 26

Assumption 11 Identity

Answer 26

identity, interests, culture play an important role.
States have identity and it determines how states interact
Identity produced by interactions, norms, cultures
Identities create interest, they are constructed by shared ideas

Question 27

How change in identity of states changes their behavior?

Answer 27

Actors act towards objects on the basis of what value they have based on the society
Meanings of terms based on shared interests

Question 28

Wendt on self-help

Answer 28

Self help outcome of particular interaction between states
Identities created by interactions
Structure has no existence of causal power

Question 29

Wendt on anarchy 1992

Answer 29

Anarchy is not destiny, not an external given, it depends on out perception
Anarchy as a social construct

Question 30

Cultures of anarchy

Answer 30

1 Hobbesian - war of all against all, states are enemies, war is a way to survive
2 Lockean - states are rivals but recognize each other and let them exist, since peace of Westphalia 1648, restraint
3 Kantian - states are friends, peaceful settlement of conflict, since WWII

Question 31

Assumption 12 Inter system

Answer 31

Human invention, constituted by ideas not material factors, can be changes

Question 32

Power

Answer 32

Subjective product of ideas and identities. Definition of power influenced by the cultural and historical context in whic it is analysed

Question 33

Criticism

Answer 33

Constructivism is idealistic and structural
Neorealist neglect power, norms upheld or disregarded if in interest of powerful states, view of change, problem of deception
Realist - Wohlforth article - structural realism neglect domestic politics but classical realism does look at domestic

Question 34

Logic of appropriateness

Answer 34

Attributes action whether it is viewed as legitimate and the right thing to do, irrespective of costs and benefits

Question 35

Logic of consequences

Answer 35

Attributes action to the anticipated benefits and costs , mindful that other actors are doing the same thing