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 actors
behavior, or do actors shape the structure of the
system?
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 about
appropriate behavior held by the international
Community
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 “Mutually
Constituted”
ACTORS
(States)
•Behavior
•Interests
•Identities
CONTEXT
(System)
•Ideas
•Meanings
•Rules
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
REALISM
Power
CONSTRUCTIVISM
Ideas
Anarchy = Security
Dilemma = Emphasis on Power
Anarchy vs. Society
National Identity
Institutions
LIBERALISM
Anarchy mitigated by IGOs/INGOs/Intl. Regimes,
Interdependence, Common Values, International Law etc
Literaturtip
• http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~mryder/itc
_data/constructivism.html
• Seminar CD Folder International Relations
Theory Sub-folder F. FOURTH DEBATE Subfolder 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…