BSPOL1312 Session 9: Constructivism

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Questions and Answers

What does Giambattista Vico imply about history in the context of constructivism?

History is shaped by human actions and constructs. (correct)

History is made entirely by external forces.

History is a process separate from human actions.

History is an objective narrative that unfolds over time.

How does Immanuel Kant's view contribute to the constructivist perspective?

Knowledge about the world is purely objective.

Understanding reality is universally agreed upon.

Human experience is solely based on physical phenomena.

Knowledge is always influenced by subjective human consciousness. (correct)

What key concept did Max Weber introduce that is crucial to understanding human social interactions?

The necessity of natural laws in explaining social behavior.

The belief that all actions are determined by economic factors.

The assumption that humans act purely on instinct.

The idea that social interaction needs an interpretive understanding. (correct)

Which entity is considered the common heritage of humankind?

The Antarctic (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the concept of 'structuration', what does Anthony Giddens suggest about the relationship between structures and actors?

Actors can change structures through their actions and thoughts. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does constructivism assert about the nature of the social world?

The social world is created and shaped by human interactions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Niccolò Machiavelli, what is the main responsibility of a ruler?

Seek the advantage and defend the interests of the state (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of NGOs in relation to policy changes?

They pressure governments and other actors for policy changes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cobweb model primarily illustrate?

Complex interdependence (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does constructivism view the relationship between social actors and international relations?

International relations are shaped by the actions and meanings created by social actors. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What complex choice does constructivism propose in place of earlier debates in international theory?

A dual focus on individual agency and structural constraints. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes transnational advocacy networks?

Actors bound together by shared values, common discourse, and dense exchanges of information. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is reality according to constructivists?

A product of shared perceptions, values, and ideas (D) Signup and view all the answers

What significant event regarding the Anti-personal Landmines Convention occurred in October 1997?

Jody Williams and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines won the Peace Nobel Prize. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was a major contributor to the rise of constructivism in international relations?

The end of the Cold War (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does social theory, as viewed through a constructivist lens, tell us about society?

The concept of society is entirely a human creation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Alexander Wendt, what is more significant in determining threats?

How actors perceive each other (B) Signup and view all the answers

What kind of government does Bhutan have?

Constitutional monarchy (B) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of international relations does constructivism emphasize?

Human consciousness and social interactions (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which major countries border Bhutan?

China to the north and India to the south. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a key action taken by the UN Secretary-General in 1994 regarding landmines?

Requested a comprehensive ban on landmines. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What critique do constructivists have of neorealist theories?

They are too focused on materialist interpretations (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the population of Bhutan according to the 2022 census?

727,147 (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did the geographical location of Bhutan influence its role in regional politics?

It serves as a buffer state between India and China, two rival powers. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Hobbesian culture of anarchy?

States engage in a war of all against all. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which degree of internationalization states that states feel compelled to cooperate in specific situations?

First degree (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does Alexander Wendt view anarchy in international relations?

As a social construction open to interpretation by states. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a pluralistic security community?

The European Union (B) Signup and view all the answers

What factor encourages community-building among states, according to Adler and Barnet?

Shared interests and values. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Adler and Barnet's work regarding international communities?

Identifying when, where, and how community matters in security. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which culture of anarchy views states as friends who settle disputes peacefully?

Kantian culture (D) Signup and view all the answers

What element is crucial to creating a cognitive region within the framework of identity, according to Adler and Barnet?

Shared cultural values (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Wendt argue about anarchy in international relations?

Anarchy's nature is shaped by the interactions between states. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to constructivist theories, what primarily shapes the identities of states?

The processes of interaction with other states. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What ongoing issue is highlighted in the relations between Bhutan and its neighbors?

Border dispute with China (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do collective meanings influence state behavior according to Wendt?

They construct the structures that organize actions of states. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does Katzenstein suggest to include in the analysis of national security policies?

Culture and identity as causal factors. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to realist theory, how is Bhutan positioned in relation to its neighbors?

In an unfavorable position due to geographical constraints (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did Bhutan react to the annexation of Tibet by China?

It closed its northern border and aligned with India. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Wendt mean when he states that 'ideas shape identities'?

The perceptions and beliefs of a state influence how it defines itself. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements aligns with constructivist theories in international relations?

Actors form their interests through social interactions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is Bhutan's current stance towards China?

It has no official relations with China. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of states deciding they are no longer enemies, according to Wendt's theory?

It demonstrates that identities and interests are mutable. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does a constructivist approach highlight regarding Bhutan's situation?

Social relationships can evolve based on ideas and beliefs. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What could potentially change the relationship between Bhutan and China?

An agreement on the border dispute (C) Signup and view all the answers

What do constructivist theories emphasize in the formation of state interests?

Dynamic interactions and social processes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What role does identity play in the behavior of international actors according to constructivist theory?

It influences relations and actions among states. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between realist and constructivist theories in understanding Bhutan's international relations?

Realist theory emphasizes military strength while constructivist focuses on social relationships. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

International Relations Overview

The course is BSPOL1312, Session 9
The date is November 25th, 2024
The topic is Constructivism in International Relations

Constructivism: Basic Ideas and Assumptions

Constructivism emphasizes the social dimension of international relations, focusing on human awareness and consciousness.
Social reality is not objective and external to observers; rather, it's shaped by shared ideas, beliefs, and understandings.
Shared perceptions, values, ideas, and understandings influence actors in the international arena.
Reality, in constructivism, is inter-subjective.

Constructivist Theories of International Relations

Constructivism is a broader social theory dealing with the social world, social action, and the relationship between social structures and actors
The social world is not defined by nature, but by human beings, created by social actors
Constructivist theory in International Relations examines how this framework can better understand international relations.
The rise of constructivism occurred in the 1980s and gained prominence as an alternative to realist approaches, particularly around the end of the Cold War.
Constructivism challenges the neorealist understanding of anarchy, arguing that it's a social construction, not an inherently fixed or negative condition. It becomes dangerous, unstable, or scary only when states create a perception of it as such.
Anarchy is an effect of practice and is “what states make of it” (Wendt). The very interaction between states shapes their identities and interests.

Key Figures in Constructivism

Alexander Wendt: Challenges neorealist concepts of anarchy; argues anarchy is a social construction.
Immanuel Kant: Key inspiration for a constructivist perspective; emphasizes that knowledge about the world is subjective.
Max Weber: Highlights the difference between the social world and the natural world; contends that human interaction requires understanding, meaning-making, and interpretative perspective.
Giambattista Vico: Early contributor to constructivist thought; argued that history is not a predetermined process, but is something that humans make.
Anthony Giddens: Explains the concept of structuration, whereby structures influence actors but are also shaped by them.

Immanuel Kant

Emphasizes that knowledge about the world is always subjective and filtered through human consciousness.

Max Weber

Argues that the social world differs from the natural world; human interaction requires understanding and interpretation.

Giambattista Vico

Contends that history is not a predetermined process, but is made by humans.

Anthony Giddens

Explains structuration, the interplay of structures and actors which shape and are shaped by one another in social relationships.

Emanuel Adler and Michael Barnett

Defined security communities as states that are integrated to the point they share a sense of community, and this translates to an assurance that their disagreements will not spill over into warfare.
They underscore that shared understanding, transnational values, and flows of transactions can foster community building and close security cooperation, highlighting the role of shared identity in international relations.

Martha Finnemore

Focuses on how international norms shape state interests and behavior, influenced by international organizations.
States adopt norms, often through the transmission of values from organizations, impacting national policies. For instance, the ICRC plays a central role in shaping humanitarian norms in warfare.

Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink

Highlight the role of transnational advocacy networks, which include non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
These groups possess unique knowledge of issues and pressure states to adopt policy changes.

The Case of Anti-Personal Landmines Convention

This example illustrates the impact of NGOs and international cooperation in shaping state behavior, often through dense exchanges of information and services based on shared values. Key dates and events are detailed.

The Case of Bhutan

Bhutan's position is geographically sensitive, serving as a buffer between India and China.
Structural conditions (geography, history of relations with its neighbours), coupled with ideas about these relationships, determine Bhutan's behavior
Realist theory highlights Bhutan's unfavorable position within the power dynamic, but constructivist theory offers a broader perspective, seeing how shared values or perceived interests shape interactions.

UN Conferences and Governance of the Environment

UN conferences on environmental issues, such as the 1972 Stockholm Conference, played a role in shaping international norms and policies.
Significant goals were to address global challenges that led to different approaches to states' relations and policy-making.

The Question of the Effectiveness of International Conferences

Evaluates the impact of these meetings, including various factors such as effectiveness, limited reports, ambiguous goals, minor verification, and benefits.

Challenges and Realist Critiques

Challenges and criticisms of constructivism, often concerning state willingness to act or the dominance of Northern NGOs

Conclusion

A summary of the discussion

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Description

This quiz explores the principles of Constructivism in International Relations, focusing on its fundamental ideas and assumptions. You will learn how social reality is constructed through shared perceptions and beliefs, and how this affects international actors. Assess your understanding of how constructivist theories shape our view of international relations.