Three perspectives on international politics IR theories: Constructivism

Three perspectives on international politics

IR theories: Constructivism

Constructing global affairs

Constructivism- two parts Sociological Institutionalism (structure)

Role of international norms Norms, institutions, organizations Norm creation and enforcement

Transnationalism (agency) Principled non-state actors

Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Hans Peter Schmitz

Two research agendas

Sociological institutionalism (focus on structure) how does the social environment of states shape

their identities and interests?

Transnationalism (focus on agency) What is the role of non-state actors and

transnational relations in global affairs?


Contesting the Prisoners’ Dilemma: Identity and Norms

Neither anarchy nor interdependence…..

Identity Beliefs Norms

Strategies: socialization and persuasion (not the threat/use of force and economic cooperation).


A View of the World

Not a theory of international relations, but a set of assumptions about how to study it.

Realist power politics is one possible scenario of world politics, but not the only one. Reality is a social, not an objective fact. The Soviet Union disappeared, because people

stopped believing in it.


Re-envisioning security

Before 1989, the United States felt threatened by the Soviet military. Today, this threat is perceived to be much lower. Why? Realism: Russia is objectively weaker. Institutionalism: Economic ties mitigate conflict. Constructivism: Nuclear weapons have not

disappeared, but the threat perception (ideas) about them.

Ideas help construct a social environment, not just brute material forces.


Constructed reality

Anarchy is neither destiny (realism), nor a disincentive to cooperation (institutionalism).

“Anarchy is what states make of it.”

Alexander Wendt


Doing what is “right”

States are neither in a perpetual state of war (realism), nor do they only cooperate for their own profit (liberalism).

Most states follow most international rules most of the time (Theodor Meron).

Norms work without enforcement (realism) and sometimes even without economic incentives and self-interest (liberal institutionalism).


A constructivist perspective: norms and identity

Shared norms> socialization through IGOs and NGOs > common identity > interests > global policies (world government)

Define norms: “collectively shared understandings of appropriate behavior”


Norms, Institutions, Organizations

Norms: Collectively shared understandings of appropriate behavior.

Institutions: Sets of rules which stipulate how to cooperate/compete.

Organizations: Institutions endowed with autonomy and actor qualities. Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Hans Peter Schmitz

Security strategies: the rule of norms (not deterrence or trade)

Universally accepted norms of human rights should replace national interests (on security and economic relations).

Creation of a world government


The Power of Norms: Constructivism The Power of Norms: Constructivism

Cooperation

International institutionsNorms

Power

Socialization

From norms to governanceFrom norms to governance

The International System

Expectations promoted by IGOs and NGOs

Global governance

Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

What institutions doWhat institutions do

Punish and shame violators

Create transparency

Legitimize the mobilization of NGOs

Result: States are constituted by norms and ideas

Express a global consensus among all states

Establish rules of appropriate conduct

>>> Socialization of states Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Hans Peter Schmitz

Cultural Accounts of IR

Claim: Ideas and Norms play an independent role in international politics by “pulling” actors towards action.

From Ideas to Global Organizations:

+actor qualities Organizations

+explicit rules Institutions

+collectively shared Norms

Individual Beliefs Ideas


How to study norms?

How do norms emerge and evolve in international politics?

How are norms translated into behavior? When do norms matter?

What measures are likely to increase norm effectiveness?


Emergence and Diffusion

Norm Entrepreneurs Mechanism: Persuasion and Lobbying Framing and Shaming Example: Raphael Lemkin (genocide page)

Norm Cascade Mechanism: Reputation and Socialization Desire to be accepted/part of a community Example: Global ban on the death penalty


Following norms

Occasional transgressions of a norm are not a sign of irrelevance, as long as such behavior is identified as a violation.

Cultural principles (human rights, environmentalism, etc.) diffuse globally.

Studying interests only (national or economic, misses many sources of change in global affairs.


From norms to institutions

States (and other entities) act not primarily in response to material needs and interests, but to social norms.

International institutions are neither insignificant (neorealism), nor are they only reflections of the cooperation among self-interested states (liberal institutionalism).

Instead, they are fully autonomous and the primary carriers of world cultural principles.


Why norms matter

Realism Fear of penalty/coercion by someone else; passive

resistance likely (obedience) Liberal institutionalism

In my best interest, compliance is a means; (autonomous compliance)

Idealism/Constructivism Internalized, compliance is an end in itself; (habit-

driven conformity)


Transnationalism: norm agency

“Liberalism” adds to institutionalist theory (explaining where the interests for cooperation come from) in the same way that:

>>> Transnationalism adds to sociological institutionalism.

Transnational non-state activism is a major tool for spreading norms and ideas.


Definition: transnationalism

Transnational relations are “regular interactions across national boundaries when at least one actor is a non-state agent or does not operate on behalf of a national government or an intergovernmental organization.”

(Thomas Risse-Kappen, Introduction, in Bringing Transnational Relations Back In: Non-State Actors, Domestic Structure and International Institutions, Cambridge University Press 1995, p. 3)


Transnational activism

Transnational activists are major carriers of world cultural principles/norms (human rights, environmental protection, etc.).

Examples: Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Oxfam, Jubilee 2000; etc.


Norm entrepreneurs/carriers

Non-state actors (even with insignificant material resources) matter in world affairs.

State-to-state relations are increasingly supplemented/subverted by transnational connections.

Transnational activists are major carriers of world cultural principles (human rights, environmental protection, peace).


Summary: Constructivism

Constructivism maintains that international relations are socially constructed.

Combination of sociological institutionalism (structure) and transnationalism (agency).

Norms play a crucial role in constructing the social environment of states.

Non-state actors have authority as carriers of universal principles and norms.


Documents

Three perspectives on international politics IR theories: Constructivism