29 Questions
What are the three defining stages of norms according to the text?
Emergence, cascade, internalization
According to constructivism, how is order primarily produced?
By diffusion and consensus
Which concept has constructivists used to explain how certain norms become widespread and accepted?
Diffusion
In which stage of norms do constructivists emphasize the importance of consensus around fundamental values?
'Norm emergence'
Which book introduces the comparison between Rationalism and Constructivism?
Fearon and Wendt's 'Rationalism vs. Constructivism'
What theory became dominant in International Relations theory in the 1990s?
Constructivism
Which aspect of world politics did the first wave of constructivist thought emphasize?
Shared identities and norms
In what way can constructivism be compared with rational choice theory?
Both are social theories
What does constructivism primarily focus on in relation to international life?
Human consciousness
Which event created an intellectual space for scholars to challenge existing theories of international politics?
End of the cold war
What does constructivism mainly concern itself with in the context of agents and structures?
Human consciousness and its role
What is the main focus of constructivism in international politics?
The significance of ideas and human consciousness
How do constructivists view identities?
As socially constructed and subject to change
What does holism refer to in the context of constructivism?
The view that structures are irreducibly social
According to Constructivism, what is meant by normative structure?
Categories of meaning that define appropriate conduct
How do Constructivists view the social construction of reality?
As how individuals construct and interpret their worlds
What is the relationship between individualism and holism in Constructivism?
Individualism opposes holism
According to Adler and Pouliot, how do individuals construct and give meaning to reality?
By relying on historically produced and culturally bound knowledge
What is one of the cultures of anarchy proposed by Alexander Wendt?
Hobbesian culture
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
How do Constructivists view the world, according to the text?
As a combination of material and normative aspects
What aspect of power do Barnett and Duvall suggest goes beyond the material?
Shaping identities, interests, and meanings
What distinguishes Constructivists' view of power from traditional views?
They emphasize the role of ideas and meanings in power dynamics
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.
According to Alastair Iain Johnston, what might have influenced China's security policies in the past two decades?
Socialization processes within various multilateral forums
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.
What does Finnemore and Sikkink define a norm as?
'A standard of appropriate behavior for actors with a given identity.'
What significant concept did the Peace of Westphalia help to establish?
Sovereignty and the norm of non-interference
What aspect do normative structures shape for state and nonstate actors?
Their beliefs and practices
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
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.
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