Lecture 5 - Constructivism Flashcards
What does Constructivism primarily examine in IR ?
the idea that international structures are determined by shared ideas, identities & social interactions, rather than purely material forces
What are the four main assumptions of Constructivism ?
- Agency : multiple actors influence international affairs
- Primacy of ideas : social structures are shaped by shared ideas
- Sociality of actors : identities & interests are constructed by shared ideas
- Politics of change: ideational roots of international affairs are crucial
How does Constructivism view the role of ideas in the international system ?
Ideas are seen as crucial in shaping the international system, as they influence shared knowledge, material resources & intersubjective practices
According to Constructivism, what does “Anarchy is What States Make of It” mean ?
Alexander Wendt : the nature of international anarchy is not predetermined ; instead, it is shaped by how states interact, perceive & construct their relationships
How does Constructivism differ from Realism and Liberalism regarding security ?
- Realism : security dilemma
- Liberalism : security communities
- Constructivism : both are socially constructed & dependent on shared knowledge & relationships
What are the three elements that constitute social structures in the international system ?
- Shared knowledge
- Material resources
- Routinized intersubjective practices
What are the “Three Cultures” identified by Constructivism & what do they represent ?
- Hobbesian culture : enmity with minimal cooperation
- Lockean culture : rivalry with some mutual recognition
- Kantian culture : partnership & high cooperation
How does Constructivism explain the concept of identity in IR ?
Viewed as a subjective & intersubjective quality that shapes motivational & behavioral dispositions, influenced by both self-understanding & how others represent that actor
How does Constructivism view the change in international norms & ideas ?
As stemming from spreading a new understanding of central norms, such as sovereignty, self-determination, human rights & the Responsibility to Protect (R2P)
What are the four theories of policy diffusion in IR, as per Constructivism ?
- Coercion theory (realist)
- Competition theory (liberal)
- Social learning theory (liberal)
- Social constructivism (constructivist)
Who is Alexander Wendt & what is his contribution to Constructivism ?
Wendt : key figure in Constructivism, known for his works “Anarchy is What States Make of It” (1992) & “Social Theory of International Politics” (1999)
-> emphasizing that state behavior is shaped by ideas, norms & institutions
What role does “agency” play in Constructivist thought ?
The idea that many different kinds of actors (states, NGOs, international organizations) can influence international affairs, challenging the notion that states are the only key actors
According to Finnemore & Sikkink (1998), how do norms change in IR ?
Norms change through a cycle involving problem framing, knowledge production, external dissemination & acquiring legitimate representation of interests
How does Constructivism view the concept of security ?
Not just a result of material conditions (e.g., having a weapon) but is influenced by the shared understanding & relationships, like trust or suspicion between states
What are the three case studies examined by Martha Finnemore in “National Interests in International Society” (1996) ?
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- World Bank (WB)
