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…