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Constructivism
Constructivism is the most popular alternative to Realism and Liberalism in modern IR Theory. Constructivism criticizes these dominant theories as being too focused on materialism, and is an attempt to foreground identity, legitimization, language, and the socially constructed nature of accepted norms as important problems within IR.
The main schools of Constructivism are Liberal Constructivism, Realist Constructivism, and Relational Constructivism. Each takes a different approach to constructivist critique of IR, but for the large part, they share the following ideas:
The main schools of Constructivism are Liberal Constructivism, Realist Constructivism, and Relational Constructivism. Each takes a different approach to constructivist critique of IR, but for the large part, they share the following ideas:
- Anarchy is socially constructed and derives its meaning from intersubjectivity among states.
- Intersubjectivity, or socialization between states through increased interaction capacity, causes changes in the identities of states.
- States seek differentiation by means of identity. They can gather within "us" groups / collective units. (i.e. Western Civilization, the EU, the Arab League)
- Constructivists, for the most part, argue in favor of logic of appropriateness than logic of consequences, therefore they are means-oriented. (i.e. We are the European Union, so we should act in X manner.)
- The language of IR conduct is very important -- it is actors that give meanings to words.
sarahcaffey |
Latest page update: made by sarahcaffey
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