Week 4 Readings: Constructivism

Question 1

What does “anarchy is what states make of it” mean

Answer 1

Anarchy is variable, states exist within an anarchaic system that their practices have created.

Question 2

Nuclear Taboo

Answer 2

“a de facto prohibition against the first use of nuclear weapons. This is not legally codified but is evident in discourse, institutions, and behavior.

It developed via: social pressure, normative power politics, individual state decision makers, and iterated behavior of states not using these weapons.

Timeline: 1945-1960 (Taboos began to emerge post ww2, US considered conventionalizing them), 1960-1980 (Taboo gained strength driven by stalemate between superpowers, rise of non-aligned movement, democratization of nuclear policy making, and personal convictions of leaders), post cold war (raised hopese of disarmarment). “

Question 3

Self Help

Answer 3

“Where states rely primarily on their own resources for security.

Wendt challenges the neorealist assumption that anarchy necessitates such a system.”

Question 4

Recognition

Answer 4

“States aspiring to grow their status seek recognition from the pre-existing power.

has following implications
- Legitimizes power & their aspirations and actions on world stage
- shapes perceptions of threat
- anchored in shared identity “

Question 5

Wendt Views on Sovereignty

Answer 5

Wendt argues that the institution of sovereignty, based on the mutual recognition of states’ rights to territorial integrity and autonomy, transforms the Hobbesian state of nature into a more stable, Lockean system.

Question 6

Altercasting

Answer 6

where one state tries to change the identity of another by treating it as if it already possesses the desired qualities, thereby encouraging reciprocal behavior.

Question 7

Symbolic Material Practices

Answer 7

“Actions taken by rising powers to demonstrate their great power capabilities and gain recognition.

Examples include building specific types of military power, and engaging in foreign policies typical of great powers, like establishing spheres of influence.
“

Question 8

4 pathways Tannenwal says nuclear taboo was developed

Answer 8

“1) Societal Pressure: Domestic and transnational antinuclear movements played a crucial role in stigmatizing nuclear weapons, shifting discourse, raising moral consciousness, and mobilizing public opinion in favor of restraint.

2) Normative Power Politics: States, particularly the Soviet Union, engaged in rhetoric and diplomacy to delegitimize nuclear weapons, seeking to portray them as morally unacceptable.

3) Individual State Decision-Makers: Leaders like Robert McNamara and Dean Rusk, driven by moral and strategic concerns, fostered nuclear restraint through policy choices and personal convictions.

4) Iterated Behavior: The repeated non-use of nuclear weapons, even in crises, gradually solidified a convention that contributed to the development of a normative obligation against first use.
“

Question 9

Measures Tannenwald suggests for strengthening nuclear taboo

Answer 9

”- No-first-use agreements
- comprehensive test ban treaty
- minimizing the value of nuclear weapons
- maintaining the categorization of nuclear weapons as unacceptable
- democratizing nuclear policy making “

Question 10

Wendt

Answer 10

“[Anarchy is what States Make of it]
- Anarchy itself does not inherently produce a self-help system or power politics in IR. Anarchy is what states make of it through their interactions and the meanings they ascribe to eachother.

• challenges neo-liberal assumptions that self help is inevitable consequence of the anarchic structure of int. system.
  – Argues that while neorealism acknowledges the importance of interaction between states, it treats identies and intersts as fixed and determined by the anarchic structure. Limits NR ability to explain how Int. system can change and how cooperation can emerg.
• ”” 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. “”
• refutes deterministic view of anarchy presented by neorealism
• "”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. there is no logic of anarchy apart from the practices that create an insatiate one structure of identites and intersts rather than another; structure has no exisence or causal power apart from process… anarchy is what states make of it”””

Question 11

Murray

Answer 11

“[Struggle for Recognition interview]
- centers on the social dynamics of power transition (state anxiety and recognition)
- rising power integrates into the existing order peacefully or through conflict
- Rising powers experience a deep sense of anxiety abut their place in the int. hierarchy (When system is in flux, countries are seeking recognition)
- Anxiety about their place leads to desire for recognition as a great power > has uncertianty if the established powers will grant them that status
– can be manifested in aggressive or expansionist foreign policies as rising power seeks to demonstrate its capabilities and assert its place in the system
- recognition by established power serves as vital legitimizing function (identity reaffirmed)
– ““you are entitled to have an air craft carrier”” or ““you are entitled to this sphere of influence without the interference of other great powers””
- Countries having a shared identity can serve as a catalyst for peaceful transitions
–Positive identity link: ““link between the rising power and the established power that essentially shrinks the distance between them. A shared identity presumes that two states can identify with each other in ways that enable them to understand themselves as belonging to a single community. As a rising power emerges, if that established power views them or can understand them as part of the same kind of ““team”“—for lack of a better word—then they’re able to recognize them and allow them to rise peacefully.

”

Question 12

Finnemore

Answer 12

“[Constructing Norms of Humanitarian Intervention”]
- core arguement is that the norms of humanitarian intervention have changed over time and that these changes are not soley driven by self-interest or material factors. They reflect evolving int. understanding of who is considered ““human”” and deserving protection (Shifting from just christians living under the ottoman’s for european protection to everyone)
- Historically states didn’t consider it legitimate to intervene militarily for purely humanitarian reasons. Recent decades have had shifting views. (Finnmore says constructivist appoach can explain this shift, importance of ideas, norms, and evolving conceptoions of humanitarianism.
- expanding circle of humanity
“

Question 13

Tannenwald

Answer 13

“[Stigmatizing the bomb]
- Argues that the non-use of nuclear weapons since 1945 isn’t just because of deterrence or rational calculations but also because of a nuclear taboo that has emerged “

Question 14

Constructivism

Answer 14

Base definition from internet (feel free to expand on): Constructivism in international relations is a theoretical approach that emphasizes the role of shared ideas, norms, and social identities in shaping state behavior and international outcomes, arguing that the international system is socially constructed rather than objectively determined.

Question 15

What does “anarchy is what states make of it” mean

Answer 15

”- Anarchy is variable, states exist within an anarchaic system that their practices have created.
“

Question 16

What are the main assumptions of Constructivism

Answer 16

“Social construction of reality: This is central to Wendt’s approach.

Importance of ideas and identities: Wendt strongly emphasizes this, particularly the role of state identities.

Mutually constitutive relationship: This is a key part of Wendt’s theory.

Intersubjective meanings: Wendt focuses heavily on this concept.

Change is possible: Wendt acknowledges this, though he also argues some constructions can be very stable.

Context matters: While Wendt recognizes this, he tends to focus more on system-level analysis.

Power of discourse: Wendt acknowledges this but doesn’t emphasize it as much as some other constructivists.

Norms and rules are significant: Wendt recognizes this but focuses more on identities and shared understandings.

Interests are not fixed: This aligns with Wendt’s view that interests are constructed through social interaction.”

Question 17

Nuclear Taboo

Answer 17

“a de facto prohibition against the first use of nuclear weapons. This is not legally codified but is evident in discourse, institutions, and behavior.

It developed via: social pressure, normative power politics, individual state decision makers, and iterated behavior of states not using these weapons.

Timeline: 1945-1960 (Taboos began to emerge post ww2, US considered conventionalizing them), 1960-1980 (Taboo gained strength driven by stalemate between superpowers, rise of non-aligned movement, democratization of nuclear policy making, and personal convictions of leaders), post cold war (raised hopese of disarmarment). “

Question 18

Self Help

Answer 18

“Where states rely primarily on their own resources for security.

Wendt challenges the neorealist assumption that anarchy necessitates such a system.

in realism, the lack of high authority forces states to seek self help solutions
“

Question 19

revisionist powers

Answer 19

• revisionist preference is when a nation seeks to revise the status quo, potentially leading to conflict with other states unwilling to accept those changes (Moravcsik)

Question 20

Theory of power transitions

Answer 20

”
- Transition from unipolar to bipolar is the most dangerious period.

• when another power grows large enough to challenge the hegemon.
• increases likelyhood of conflict”

Question 21

Norm

Answer 21

“(internet definition for the sake of time, feel free to change)

A norm in international relations is an expected standard of behavior or conduct widely accepted and followed by states and other international actors, typically formed through repeated interactions, shared experiences, and collective agreements over time, which shapes interactions and decision-making processes without necessarily being legally binding.”

Question 22

Recognition

Answer 22

“States aspiring to grow their status seek recognition from the pre-existing power.

has following implications
- Legitimizes power & their aspirations and actions on world stage
- shapes perceptions of threat
- anchored in shared identity “

Question 23

Predation

Answer 23

”- articulated by Wendt in his article ““anarchy is what states make of it””
- refers to agressive behavior of certian states
- ““Mature”” anarchies are less likely than ““immature”” ones to be reduced by predation to a Hobbesian condition, and maturity, which is a proxy for structures of identity and interest, is a function of process.””
- Is a key driver of as a key driver of self-help and competitive behavior
- Predatory states are driven by aggressive ideologies or past victimizzation, disrupt the system and force others to adopt defensive measures for their survival.
- predatory behavior can be self perpetuatiing cycle of mistrust and hostility making cooperation difficult.”

Question 24

Wendt Views on Sovereignty

Answer 24

Wendt argues that the institution of sovereignty, based on the mutual recognition of states’ rights to territorial integrity and autonomy, transforms the Hobbesian state of nature into a more stable, Lockean system.

Question 25

Critical Strategic Theory

Answer 25

“Wendt argues that states are not simply bound by existing structures of identity and interest.

”

Critical Strategic Theory in international relations is an approach that examines global power dynamics, challenges traditional realist assumptions, and emphasizes the role of ideas, norms, and social structures in shaping strategic interactions between states and non-state actors.

Question 26

Collective security

Answer 26

“(web definition for the sake of time, feel free to change)

Collective security in an international setting is a system where nations agree to take collective action against any member state that commits aggression or threatens peace, with the goal of maintaining global stability and deterring conflict.”

Question 27

Altercasting

Answer 27

where one state tries to change the identity of another by treating it as if it already possesses the desired qualities, thereby encouraging reciprocal behavior.

Question 28

Symbolic Material Practices

Answer 28

“Actions taken by rising powers to demonstrate their great power capabilities and gain recognition.

Examples include building specific types of military power, and engaging in foreign policies typical of great powers, like establishing spheres of influence.
“

Question 29

4 pathways Tannenwal says nuclear taboo was developed

Answer 29

“1) Societal Pressure: Domestic and transnational antinuclear movements played a crucial role in stigmatizing nuclear weapons, shifting discourse, raising moral consciousness, and mobilizing public opinion in favor of restraint.

2) Normative Power Politics: States, particularly the Soviet Union, engaged in rhetoric and diplomacy to delegitimize nuclear weapons, seeking to portray them as morally unacceptable.

3) Individual State Decision-Makers: Leaders like Robert McNamara and Dean Rusk, driven by moral and strategic concerns, fostered nuclear restraint through policy choices and personal convictions.

4) Iterated Behavior: The repeated non-use of nuclear weapons, even in crises, gradually solidified a convention that contributed to the development of a normative obligation against first use.
“

Question 30

Measures Tannenwald suggests for strengthening nuclear taboo

Answer 30

”- No-first-use agreements
- comprehensive test ban treaty
- minimizing the value of nuclear weapons
- maintaining the categorization of nuclear weapons as unacceptable
- democratizing nuclear policy making “

Question 31

chart constructivism in anarchy

Answer 31

Question 32

Constructivism logic chart

Answer 32

Question 33

Constructivist core ideas

Answer 33

“1) Identities and interests of actors change over time

2) Iterative interaction between actors and their contexts means that states can learn to want things other than only physical security

3) Ideas matter, the way we talk about what matters, the way we do things matter, and our relationships can change what is possible”

Question 34

Tannenwald’s views on the orgin of norms

Answer 34

”- Societal pressure
- normative power politics
- individual decision makers
- obligation born from custom

–norms have to be itterative
– states have to think about the examples they set, they are setting norms by their behavior “

Question 35

Peacefull Power Transition Example by Murray

Answer 35

”- Ex: US and UK
– shared identity
– US rose to power in late 1800s/early1900s. says Anglo saxon identity played crucial role in facilitating a peaceful power transition despite US growing naval power that could of been seen as a threat.”