Lecture on Constructivism in International Relations

Introduction to Constructivism

• Definition of Real: Real is not just what can be sensed; it is electrical signals interpreted by the brain.
• Constructivism: A way of studying social relationships, emphasizing that reality is socially constructed through human consciousness.
• Social Reality: Product of human consciousness, created through knowledge and meaning, forming categories of understanding and action.

Key Concepts in Constructivism

• Intersubjective Interactions: Agents and structures are mutually constituted.
• Ideological Factors: Norms, identity, and ideas are central to political dynamics.
• Human Beings as Social Beings: Social relationships are fundamental to being human.

Constructivism in the 1990s

• Role in IR: Central to IR debates in the 1990s, seeking alternative synthesis between realism and liberalism.
• Conventional Constructivism: Set the stage for contemporary debates, focusing on positivist vs. post-positivist approaches.

Constructivism vs Traditional Theories

• Traditional Approaches: Focus on state behavior from a materialist perspective (realism, liberalism).
• Constructivist Critique: Traditional theories lack understanding of preference formation and change.
• Identity and Preferences: Identity shapes preferences, which in turn influence state behavior and strategy.

Three Forms of Anarchy

• Anarchy in IR: Viewed differently in constructivism; three forms based on legitimacy structures.
• Cyclical Change: Reality isn't static; legitimacy structures can collapse and change.

Internationalization of Norms

• Normative Structures: Social structures include normative elements that can be transformed.
• Actors in Norm Change: States can be pressured to change behavior through international norms.

Constructivism and Knowledge Project

• Order and Values in IR: Debate on rescuing failed order and the values within it.
• Rationalism: Developed as consensus, focusing on the strategic actor and preference analysis.

Social Theory of International Politics

• Waltz's Views: Recognized patterns in international relations as material, whereas constructivists view them as social.
• Intersubjectivity: Interactions shape identity and preferences, influencing cooperation and conflict.

Wendt's Three Cultures of Anarchy

• Cultures of Anarchy:
  • Hostility: Realism, marked by pure competition.
  • Rivalry (Lockean): Complex patterns of competition and cooperation.
  • Friendship (Kantian): Collective security, overriding individual survival.

Implications for International Norms

• Strategic Action: Constructivism offers a framework for international strategic action, such as human rights advocacy.
• Example: Pressure on South Africa during apartheid demonstrates norm internationalization.

Conclusion

• Constructivism's Contribution: Offers a dynamic and non-deterministic perspective on international relations, emphasizing the role of identity, norms, and social constructions.