CONSTRUCTIVISMHelen Gemma R. Vallejos

International Relations

Constructivism

States much the same as individuals are living in a

“world of our making”

Constructivism

significant aspects of international relations are historically and socially constructed, rather than inevitable consequences of human nature or other essential characteristics of

world politic

Basic Tenets

that the structures of human association are determined primarily by shared ideas rather than material forces

the identities and interests of purposive actors are constructed by these shared ideas rather than given by nature

Philosophical Perspective

Structures of interaction are determined by shared ideas

Identities and interests are constructed by shared ideas

Philosophical Perspective

The theory is that norms and ideals of state behavior are embedded in the system. The system is primarily composed of states but also includes other non-state actors. These embedded ideals guide and direct the interaction of states.

Difference from Neorealism

1.The structure of the international system is a social phenomenon rather than a material phenomenon

Difference from Neorealism

2. State identities are constructed by the international system by ways that a pseudo-economic approach can explain

Difference from Neorealism

3. Anarchy has no logic apart from the process of interaction

As social science

Positivism’s 3 Basic Aspects:

1.positive knowledge is true in that it corresponds to facts

2.positive knowledge is objective

3.the methodological approach that is used would be as well suited for use in the natural world as the social world

Critique

The theory is more concerned with how we can understand a relation rather than how the relation might come into being

Anarchy

Anarchy is a deeply embedded structure that is basically only as important as the actors decide it is at a given point in time

Anarchy

According to Wendt (1992) the interaction and cognitive processes of actors defines anarchy