Constructivism in IR

• Constructivism is based on the idea

that people actively construct or
make their own knowledge, and
that reality is determined by your
experiences as a learner.
Constructivism is the • Basically, learners use their
theory that says learners previous knowledge as a
construct knowledge foundation and build on it with new
rather than just things that they learn.
passively take in • So everyone's individual
information. experiences make their learning
unique to them.
• Constructivism is used as a label for an important movement in art history.
• Constructivism in the social sciences refers to a distinctive approach to theory
and research that is opposed to the dominant empiricist, naturalist, and realist
frameworks of mainstream social thought.
• The general claims : (1) the ontological thesis that what appears to be "natural"
is in reality an effect of social processes and practices; (2) the epistemological
thesis that knowledge of social phenomena is itself socially produced; and (3)
the methodological thesis that the investigation of the social construction of
reality must take priority over all other methodic procedures.
 Real, What makes something real?
• The things we experience in this world are constructs.
• We understand, experience and interpret things through the lens of our opinions.
• Social Constructivism/constructionism suggests that the knowledge and various
other aspects of the world around us are not real in itself.
• They exist because we attribute reality to them through social agreement.
• Nation, money, chair, books.
• Self is also a social construction –our identity is created through our interactions
with other people and our reactions to the expectations of the society.
 Social constructivism in IR
• Not a theory but a modifier to an existing theory- an enhancer
• Offers an account of politics of identity
• Like liberalism it operates within ideology
• It proposes how nationalism, ethnicity, race, gender and religion are
involved in global politics
• Identities explain how states interact with each other: Identifiable variables
• Ally, enemy, neutral, belligerent, fascist, terrorist
Perceptions
Perceptions
Perceptions
 Perceptions formed the way
we engage with States

Foreign Policy is shaped by

perceptions

Realism says State, State and,

State

State has identity

• Saddam Hussein: Arab vs. West
• Domestic Politics into IR
• Historical subjectivity matters rather than realism’s argument that State is a
State debate
• Constructivism allows States to be different things at the same time
• Gradual evolution is foreign policy is allowed on the basis of trust and
cooperation that one State develops with other States
• Realism is a natural/default setting

• When you work towards cooperation and trust liberalism emerges

• Anarchy is an imagination-----Anarchy is an imagined community-- It does not exist.

• Anarchy is what states make out of it… It is not given

• For Realists---- anarchy is not chaos but simply uncertainty
• For Liberalists----anarchy is absence of cooperation
• Constructivists ----Anarchy is what you want it to be
• Balance of Power and balance of threat

• Security Dilemma

• Pacific Union- Likeminded states will bind together

• US Allies with Pro-American regime may not be pro-democratic regime

• Like-mindedness matters ------- Orientation does not matter

• Foreign Policy is determined by perception
• For United States----

• Democratic Peace Theory ………………….?

• Security Dilemma……………………….?
• Balance of Power…………………?
• Balance of Threat……………..?
• Hybridization of realism and liberalism----------Wilsonian Realism