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Constructivism in I.R. Actors and Systems II. The Role of Ideas III. Visualizing Theory. Actors and Systems Realism and Liberalism: States and Anarchy as given problem of I.R. Constructivists are called Constructivists because they focus on how reality is ‘socially constructed’ - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Constructivism in I.R.
I. Actors and Systems
II. The Role of Ideas
III. Visualizing Theory
I. Actors and Systems
Realism and Liberalism: States and Anarchy as given problem of I.R.
Constructivists are called Constructivists because they focus on how reality is ‘socially constructed’
Agent-Structure Debate– Agents = Actors (State and Non-State)– Structure = Structure of International System
Q: Does the structure of the system shape actorsbehavior, or do actors shape the structure of thesystem?
Theories and Agent-Structure
(Neo-)Realism: Nature of the international system shapes states’ behavior
Liberalism: Behavior of actors shapes the nature of the international system
Constructivism: Actors and system mutually constituted
II. The Role of Ideas
Ideas important in their own right
Consequences v. Appropriateness
International Norms: shared expectations aboutappropriate behavior held by the internationalCommunity
Changes in norms lead to changes in state behaviors
Examples: Sovereignty, Colonialism, Land Mine Treaty
“Anarchy is what states make of it ”(Wendt)
The Role of Ideas II
• One of the main assumptions of a constructivist approach is that identities, norms, and culture play important roles in world politics. Identities and interests of states are not simply structurally determined, but are rather produced by interactions, institutions, norms, cultures. It is process, not structure, which determines the manner in which states interact.
• See Alexander Wendt, 'Anarchy is What States Make of It', International Organisation, 46/2, 1992.
Norms and State Behavior
State Behavior and International Norms “MutuallyConstituted”
CONTEXT(System)
•Ideas•Meanings
•Rules
CONTEXT(System)
•Ideas•Meanings
•Rules
ACTORS(States)
•Behavior•Interests•Identities
ACTORS(States)
•Behavior•Interests•Identities
Constructivism: Summary
States and intl. system mutually constituted in IR (systemic dialectic ??)
Ideas (separate from power) are important in shaping international relations
Whether IR take place in an anarchical system of states or a legally ordered society of states is a function of divergent or convergent national identities
Visualizing Theory
Institutions LIBERALISM
Anarchy mitigated by IGOs/INGOs/Intl. Regimes, Interdependence, Common Values, International Law etc
CONSTRUCTIVISM Ideas
Anarchy vs. SocietyNational Identity
REALISM Power
Anarchy = SecurityDilemma = Emphasis on Power
Literaturtip
• http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~mryder/itc_data/constructivism.html
• Seminar CD Folder International Relations Theory Sub-folder F. FOURTH DEBATE Sub-folder A. CONSTRUCTIVISM VS. POSITIVISM
• Seminar CD Folder International Relations Theory Sub-folder Christmas Bonus Book Collection PDF Maja Zehfuss: Constructivism in International Relations
That‘s it – folks…