Constructivism

Question 1

Constructivism: Key terms

Answer 1

Identity
Logic of appropriateness
Logic of consequences
Materialism
Idealism
Social construction of reality

Question 2

Materialist vs Idealist

Answer 2

Idealism: Cultural conditions drive economic changes
Materialism: Economic conditions drive cultural changes

Question 3

Constructivists are idealists.

Answer 3

Define Material Forces
Structures
Interactions

Question 4

Anarchy is what states make of it

Answer 4

· How we are perceived is in how we interact and form relationships
· Realists are presuming that the first interactions will always be hostile and threatening.

Question 5

Constructivist main ideas

Answer 5

State behavior shaped by elite beliefs,
identities, social norms. Logic of
appropriateness.
* People forge, shape, and change culture
through ideas, practices, and interactions.
* People bring meaning to material
structures. Social construction of reality.
* International organizations can socialize
states and individuals to norms. Ideas
constrain and constitute interests and
identities.

Question 6

Interstate relations are socially constructed

Answer 6

· The enemy of my enemy is my friend
· New foreign policy ideas are influenced by pre-existing ideas and their relationship to events
· Interests and relationships change

Question 7

Agents and structures are co-constituted

Answer 7

· States create institutions and norms
Norms and institutions influence states

Question 8

ANARCHY

Answer 8

· Anarchy is what states make of it.
· How we are perceived is in how we interact and form relationships
· Realists are presuming that the first interactions will always be hostile and threatening.

Question 9

CRITICAL THEORY

Answer 9

Traditional theories are too restrictive as they take the world as ‘it is’ for granted and limit the role of the individual
· Realism
· Liberalism

Theories that seek compromise or unifying approaches do not go far enough by themselves in addressing injustices and flaws in the global system
· Constructivism
· English school

This is where we should focus if we want to be truly ‘critical’ and identify alternative ways of ordering our world

· Post culturalism
→ Power

· Marxism
→ Class

· Feminism
→ Gender

· Race
→ Postcolonialism

Question 10

ALTERNATIVES TO REALISM AND LIBERALISM

Answer 10

Marxism and world systems theory
· Suggest that the key factor to understanding interstate behaviour is wealth and who controls it

MARXISM
· Theory focusing on the impact of Capitalism
· Two classes of people:
→ Bourgeoisie: those that own the means of production
→ Proletariat: those that work for those that own the means of production

CAPITALISM
· Creates inequality and exploitation
→ Class conflict
· A dynamic, but unstable system of relations
→ Periodic crises

Feminist international relations theory
· Suggests that we should consider what the world would look like if we were not historically dominated by men

The dialect Progression of History
· Contradictions, i.e., conflicts drive the dynamisms of capitalism
· Results in socialist revolution, leading to the collapse of Capitalism