(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

The Constructivist Approach to International Relations Theory

            
             This paper looks at the constructivist approach to the study of international relations. The constructivist approach is defined in terms of the philosophical underpinnings of the approach and the scientific/social scientific premises that highlight this social theory of international relations. The approach is critiqued based upon the postmodern approach to understanding and knowing. Also important to the critique of the approach is the understanding of scientific/social scientific criticisms of the constructivist approach. Social constructivism is analyzed for its offerings in the study of anarchy, regimes, world polity, and as systemic level theory of international relations. Among the interesting findings is the problematic nature of this approach to understanding anarchy, the difficulty of defining constructivism as positivist social science, and the optimistic outlook for the future of international relations studies offered by the constructivist approach.
             .
             Introduction.
             It is often asked why any theory of international relations should be taken seriously. On the surface this appears to be a valid question. Theory is academically based and not part of the real world. Practitioners of foreign policy must live in the "real" world and actually take care of the business of government. However, we need look no further than the Clinton administration in the US to see that theory can be highly influential on practitioners of foreign policy. One strand of liberal international relations theory is called "democratic peace theory". This strand of liberalism holds that democracy will rarely engage in conflictual behavior with one another. The Clinton administration's policy of "engagement" was designed to spread democracy, this in hopes that future conflicts might be avoided because democracies do not engage in conflict with each other. .
             More recently the Bush administration has made a decision on the type of arms to sell to Taiwan.


Essays Related to The Constructivist Approach to International Relations Theory

1. Canadian Foreign Policy

Theories in International relations were traditionally limited to liberal and realist at opposite ends of the spectrum converging on very similarities. ... The constructivist theory emerged as a way of bridging the vast gap between liberal and realist theories. ... Constructivist ideals lie very heavily on the importance of International cooperation. This is illustrated through the common security theory which came from the moral emergence of pacifism and believes that International Institutions should play the major role in International relations. (Wehr & Pfoser, 1990) The constructivist ...

  • Word Count: 1888
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Future Relations of World Super Powers

Further, I will introduce the major theoretical approaches in international relations to examine the affairs between the two countries, which include, liberalism, social constructivism, and realism, all of which provide contrasting and somewhat overlapping views; as a result of, the different aspects of detail each theory focuses on. ... To outline the liberalist approach, the central theme that runs through the theory is that individuals are perfectible through democracy, all which lies behind progress, that seeks to "project values of order, liberty, justice and toleration" through...

  • Word Count: 2830
  • Approx Pages: 11
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. Suprematism and Constructivism

While suprematism began before the Revolution of 1917, its influence, and the influence of Malevich's approach to art, was very pervasive in the early Soviet period. ... During this period, Einstein's Theory of Relativity was gaining further support. ... The re-establishment of diplomatic relations with western European countries ended eight years of cultural isolation and intense ferment for Russian artists, during which every aspect of artistic activity had been called into question in relation to the aims of Communism. ... In 1920, she worked at Inkhuk (Institute of Artisti...

  • Word Count: 3313
  • Approx Pages: 13
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. Technology and Teacher Education

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) was the first organization to recognize the emerging needs of ITTE, establishing in 1983 a special interest group for teacher educators interested in the use of computers. ... While relations have been cool between educational technology programs and teacher education at many universities, there are now numerous examples of universities where this is not the case. ... Research was quantitative, it involved a research design (often control-experimental group or correlational), and it was done to support a particular theory (Willis, ...

  • Word Count: 8566
  • Approx Pages: 34
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. The Evolution of the Post-Development Theory

Alongside support for post-development theory, Ziai also provides the criticisms, some of which are to be addressed in the book, for the audience. ... One romanticizes the traditional culture, based on a complete rejection of modernity while the other is more skeptical of these same topics, employing a more constructivist view on culture. ... Gibson-Graham, also known as Julie Graham and Katherine Gibson, argue that critics who denounce post-development theory as anti-development are misled. ... They suggest that the post-development approach instead focuses on the local and regional develop...

  • Word Count: 3546
  • Approx Pages: 14
  • Grade Level: Graduate

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question