Constructivism

How it is used

Became influential in the 1990s. Constructivists study norms, identity, culture and discourse, and argue that international politics is 'socially constructed'. A well-known 1992 article by Alexander Wendt argued that anarchy is what states make of it.

Example sentences

1. Constructivism helps explain why some norms spread quickly between states.

2. From a constructivist point of view, national identity shapes foreign policy.

3. Her thesis applies constructivism to regional security cooperation.

Common collocations

• social constructivism
• constructivist approach
• constructivist scholars
• norms and identity

Related terms

• realismA major theory of international relations holding that states are the main actors, that they pursue power and security in an anarchic system, and that conflict is always possible.
• liberalismA major theory of international relations holding that cooperation between states is possible and is helped by trade, international institutions, law and democracy.
• anarchyIn IR theory, the absence of a world government above states, so that each state must rely on itself for its security; it does not necessarily mean chaos.
• international relationsThe relations between countries and other actors in world politics, and the academic subject that studies them, including diplomacy, war, trade and international organisations.

More terms: Theories of International Relations

• balance of power
• great power
• hegemony
• security dilemma
• interdependence
• non-state actor