Constructivism and international relations - Essay Example

WHAT IS CONSTRUCTIVISM AND HOW IS THIS APPROACH USED IN THE FIELD OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS? According to Wendt, constructivism is a fundamental theory in relation to the international system. According to him, states form the major units of analysis used in international political theory. This theory also argues that the key items found in the systems of the states are not material but rather intersubjective. These social structures are significant in creating state interests and identities that in contrast are not created independently by domestic politics or human nature. Wendt argues that for constructivism to account as a theory, it must incorporate a minimum set of principles devised to assess the behavior of various principals that participate in the international relations field1. He, therefore, suggests that constructivism is not a tool used to predict the outcomes but to rather analyze core behavior in the international system. Wendt also offers two variables in relation to constructivism. He suggests that it is broadly determined by social norms, as well as ideas. Constructivism focuses on the identities and interests of international actors and the effect of their social relations to the international system. For Wendt, the international system cannot exit as a sole object2. It is a set of human invention involving a set of ideas that govern the interaction of people and states through a system of norms. Thus the debate between liberals and realists forms an axis of contention regarding international relations. Constructivists reject the idea by neorealism that states have a one-sided focus on material advantage. Wendt for example argues the most significant character of international relations is based on social term and not material items3. Furthermore, social reality is subjective to international affairs. The social and political world cannot define international relations as a physical institution outside human cognizance. The main focus is, therefore, the extent of anarchy and power in relation to interaction and learning. Wendt (1992) focuses his argument more on rejecting the neorealist position to which constructivism results to anarchy which is mainly geared to self-help of states4. In these aspects, state identities and interests come from the relationship subsisting between international and domestic societies. Constructivists argue that state interests are not defined by egoistic terms. This situation is effective because egoistic interests do not form a significant aspect of individuality and are based on individual representation relationships. The relative stabilities in these individual relationships act as if they were authorized by an institution. A lot of convergent factors expose states towards egoism, which in most cases do not preclude collective interests. Constructivism is interested in converging domestic values from a transnational scale through the establishment of democratic institutions supplemented by global consumerism. The existence of constructivism identifies collective identity, as well as actions. In the event of overcoming collective action problems, social identities are identified and assessed whether they lead to self-interests or mutual interests. Wendt establishes himself as the profound leader in applying constructivism in international relations. He suggests that constructivism incorporates a theoretical framework and the salient aspects of international politics go hand in hand with social constructs. According to Wendt, various elements such as interests, powers, identity, and even norms do not account as irreversible factors but are rather modified by a particular behavior. This statement also suggests that immutable facts do not affect these elements as they determine the conduct of international players in a unidirectional way. Wendt did not agree with the neorealism as he challenged their theory on structural realism. According to him, neorealism takes the system that is based upon social construction for granted. In the derivation of certain arguments from Wendt, certain concepts may be established about international relations and constructivism. Anarchy as a structure is dependent and not indisputable. Anarchy, which is the non-existence of authority above the state, tends to have a contingent feature upon its relations to various states. Even though anarchy creates a condition of self-help and independence, self-help may not be reality associated with internal relations5. It is in fact, a distinct form that a state identifies itself along with its interests. The state of anarchy does not necessarily involve the utilization of state power in order to gain strategic advantage and ensure state survival.6As opposed to neorealist argument, when there is no arbiter that can solve disputes between states, conflict may not be the only7 end result between the competing states. Even though self-help may be a small structure found in international relations, constructivism cannot be argued to influence the distribution of power among states or to affect their actions. International relations cannot act as a strong block that will explain the distribution of power. This situation arises partly because international relations are mediated by various practices, norms as well as ideas just like anarchy. However, collective meanings have an effect on international relations and constitute as one of the basic factors in which states interact and derive their actions. For example, the position of England with respect to the United States should not be based upon the bases of resource advantage such as military capabilities, or even mass destruction resources among others8. If such bases define the relations between these two states, then there arises a situation in which one state can regard the other to be relatively potential allies or enemies. Such bases will also confer power that is constructed upon competitive and strategic advantage. Wendt goes ahead to suggest the England missiles were of different importance among the Soviet Union and the United States, without regards to their destructive nature. One state viewed this situation as a potential threat while the other did not take into account any threats. The Cold War was, therefore, supplemented by the relations that subsisted between the Soviet Union and the US, in contrast to the balance of power between the two states. Emphasis is placed upon the interactions and relationship among international actors in politics. International relations shape the identities between different states and protect their interests in relation to power. Through international relations, states learn to cooperate and develop relationships that are not based on strategic advantages. Bibliography Wendt, Alexander. "The Agent-Structure Problem in International Relations Theory." International Organization 41, no.2. (1994): 384-396. Wendt, Alexander. "Anarchy Is What States Make of It: The Social Construction of Power Politics." International Organization 46, no. 2. (1992): 395-421. Read More