Idealism vs Constructivism in International Politics

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Questions and Answers

What are the three defining stages of norms according to the text?

Emergence, consensus, diffusion

Cascade, socialization, order

Emergence, cascade, internalization (correct)

Consensus, socialization, diffusion

According to constructivism, how is order primarily produced?

Through enforcement and domination

Through cultural matches

By socialization and resistance

By diffusion and consensus (correct)

Which concept has constructivists used to explain how certain norms become widespread and accepted?

Cultural matches

Norm resistance

Socialization

Diffusion (correct)

In which stage of norms do constructivists emphasize the importance of consensus around fundamental values?

'Norm emergence' Signup and view all the answers

Which book introduces the comparison between Rationalism and Constructivism?

Fearon and Wendt's 'Rationalism vs. Constructivism' Signup and view all the answers

What theory became dominant in International Relations theory in the 1990s?

Constructivism Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of world politics did the first wave of constructivist thought emphasize?

Shared identities and norms Signup and view all the answers

In what way can constructivism be compared with rational choice theory?

Both are social theories Signup and view all the answers

What does constructivism primarily focus on in relation to international life?

Human consciousness Signup and view all the answers

Which event created an intellectual space for scholars to challenge existing theories of international politics?

End of the cold war Signup and view all the answers

What does constructivism mainly concern itself with in the context of agents and structures?

Human consciousness and its role Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of constructivism in international politics?

The significance of ideas and human consciousness Signup and view all the answers

How do constructivists view identities?

As socially constructed and subject to change Signup and view all the answers

What does holism refer to in the context of constructivism?

The view that structures are irreducibly social Signup and view all the answers

According to Constructivism, what is meant by normative structure?

Categories of meaning that define appropriate conduct Signup and view all the answers

How do Constructivists view the social construction of reality?

As how individuals construct and interpret their worlds Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between individualism and holism in Constructivism?

Individualism opposes holism Signup and view all the answers

According to Adler and Pouliot, how do individuals construct and give meaning to reality?

By relying on historically produced and culturally bound knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the cultures of anarchy proposed by Alexander Wendt?

Hobbesian culture Signup and view all the answers

According to Max Weber, what is one important addition that Constructivists have made to the view of power?

Power involves ideational forces in addition to material forces Signup and view all the answers

How do Constructivists view the world, according to the text?

As a combination of material and normative aspects Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of power do Barnett and Duvall suggest goes beyond the material?

Shaping identities, interests, and meanings Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Constructivists' view of power from traditional views?

They emphasize the role of ideas and meanings in power dynamics Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between regulative norms and constitutive norms in shaping actors' behavior?

Regulative norms dictate specific actions, while constitutive norms shape states' identities and legitimate behavior. Signup and view all the answers

According to Alastair Iain Johnston, what might have influenced China's security policies in the past two decades?

Socialization processes within various multilateral forums Signup and view all the answers

How do rationalists and constructivists differ in their views on socialization processes according to Johnston?

Rationalists emphasize cost-benefit calculations, while constructivists emphasize acceptance by the broader community. Signup and view all the answers

What does Finnemore and Sikkink define a norm as?

'A standard of appropriate behavior for actors with a given identity.' Signup and view all the answers

What significant concept did the Peace of Westphalia help to establish?

Sovereignty and the norm of non-interference Signup and view all the answers

What aspect do normative structures shape for state and nonstate actors?

Their beliefs and practices Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Constructivism in International Politics

Constructivism emerged in the 1990s as a challenge to Neorealism and Neoliberalism, which emphasized materialism and individualism.
Constructivism focuses on the role of ideas and norms in shaping international politics.

Three Defining Stages of Norms

Norm emergence: the initial stage of norm development
Norm cascade: the stage where norms become widely accepted and spread
Norm internalization: the final stage where norms become internalized and embedded in societal practices

Key Concepts of Constructivism

Agent-structure problem: the relationship between agents and structures in shaping international politics
Holism: the view that structures cannot be decomposed into individual units and their interactions, but are instead irreducibly social
Idealism: the focus on human consciousness and the role of ideas in shaping international politics
Identity: shaped by social interactions, identities influence interests and can change over time
Individualism: contrasts with holism, emphasizing individual units and their interactions

Normative Structure

Collectively held ideas such as knowledge, rules, beliefs, and norms that shape international politics
Constrains actors, constructs categories of meaning, constitutes actors' identities and interests, and defines standards of appropriate conduct

Constructed Reality

Reality is not just material, but also normative, shaped by historically produced and culturally bound knowledge
Individuals construct and interpret their worlds through social interactions and practices

Power and Norms

Power is not only material, but also ideational, shaping identities, interests, and meanings
Regulative and constitutive norms shape what actors do, with constitutive norms shaping states as actors and their identities

Norm Diffusion and Socialization

Norm diffusion: the process of norms spreading across international societies
Socialization: the process of internalizing norms and adopting them as part of one's identity and interests
Internationalization and institutionalization of norms: the process of norms becoming embedded in international institutions and organizations

Examples of Norms and International Institutions

The Peace of Westphalia established sovereignty and the norm of non-interference
China's changing security policies over the last two decades, influenced by socialization processes in multilateral forums

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Description

Explore the differences between Idealism and Constructivism in the context of international politics. Learn about how these theories shape our understanding of the social construction of reality and the role of ideas in shaping material reality.