POSC 2200 – Theoretical POSC 2200 – Theoretical ApproachesApproaches

Russell Alan WilliamsRussell Alan Williams

Department of Political ScienceDepartment of Political Science

Unit Two: Unit Two: Theoretical ApproachesTheoretical Approaches

““Alternative Approaches - Constructivism, Alternative Approaches - Constructivism, Poststructuralism and Feminism:Poststructuralism and Feminism:””

Required Reading:Required Reading: Globalization of World PoliticsGlobalization of World Politics, , Chapters 10, 11, 12 and 17.Chapters 10, 11, 12 and 17. Alexander Wendt, Alexander Wendt, ““Anarchy is what states make of it: The social Anarchy is what states make of it: The social

construction of power politics,construction of power politics,”” International OrganizationInternational Organization, Vol. , Vol. 46(2), (Spring 1992), Pp. 391-425. (Available as an excerpt 46(2), (Spring 1992), Pp. 391-425. (Available as an excerpt available from the instructor.)available from the instructor.)

Outline:Outline: IntroductionIntroduction ConstructivismConstructivism PoststructuralismPoststructuralism FeminismFeminism ConclusionsConclusions For Next TimeFor Next Time

1) Introduction:1) Introduction:

Remaining Remaining ““theoriestheories”” are: are: 1) Newer – 1) Newer – ““work in progresswork in progress”” . . . . . . 2) Mainly focused on the role of 2) Mainly focused on the role of ““ideasideas”” in international in international

politicspolitics

Re-opens old debates in IR:Re-opens old debates in IR: Are there rules or values that affect behavior separate from Are there rules or values that affect behavior separate from ““national interestsnational interests””??

Critics: These approaches = return to Critics: These approaches = return to ““idealismidealism”” =Similar =Similar insistence that we should pursue a moral or ethical IR . . . .insistence that we should pursue a moral or ethical IR . . . .

Introduces concerns omitted/silenced by other theories:Introduces concerns omitted/silenced by other theories: Role of culture and role of genderRole of culture and role of gender

However, unclear status as However, unclear status as ““theoriestheories”” More More criticalcritical scholars reject variables and hypothesis scholars reject variables and hypothesis

Key Thinkers:Key Thinkers: Liberal or mainstream constructivism:Liberal or mainstream constructivism:

M. FinnemoreM. Finnemore A. WendtA. Wendt

Critical poststructuralism:Critical poststructuralism:

R. B. J. WalkerR. B. J. Walker Feminism:Feminism:

C. EnloeC. Enloe

2) Constructivism:2) Constructivism:Key claim: Ideas or Key claim: Ideas or ““normsnorms”” structure international structure international politicspolitics

““NormsNorms”” are produced by state interaction over time and are produced by state interaction over time and non-state actors committed to certain ideasnon-state actors committed to certain ideas

E.g. the global anti slavery movement (19E.g. the global anti slavery movement (19thth century) century)

Key problem: Both Key problem: Both ““realismrealism”” and modern liberalism and modern liberalism (E.g. (E.g. ““Neoliberal institutionalismNeoliberal institutionalism””) are committed to ) are committed to ““materialismmaterialism””

= Actors have fixed and predictable interests based on what is available in = Actors have fixed and predictable interests based on what is available in the material worldthe material world

E.g. All states and individuals want the same things regardless of E.g. All states and individuals want the same things regardless of culture, values or even norms . . . .culture, values or even norms . . . .

Constructivists argue that values define those interests Constructivists argue that values define those interests – based on what people believe– based on what people believe

Similar challenge to study of domestic politics – we need to Similar challenge to study of domestic politics – we need to know what actors know what actors believebelieve

E.g. Survey people about their beliefs?E.g. Survey people about their beliefs?

Requires more attention to cultural discourses and Requires more attention to cultural discourses and ideological commitments of elitesideological commitments of elites

E.g. Examine cultural attitudes in media and artE.g. Examine cultural attitudes in media and art

Types:Types:

1) 1) ““Epistemic CommunitiesEpistemic Communities””: Expert groups dealing with : Expert groups dealing with complex and technical problems that shape how states complex and technical problems that shape how states ““seesee”” certain problems. certain problems.

““National interestNational interest”” cannot exist outside this advice cannot exist outside this advice E.g. Climate ChangeE.g. Climate Change

2) Focus on 2) Focus on ““NormsNorms”” and and ““DiffusionDiffusion””//““InstitutionalizationInstitutionalization””

““NormsNorms”” = inter-subjective values about what is = inter-subjective values about what is ““normalnormal”” and not and not normalnormal

E.g.E.g. ““SSovereigntyovereignty”” Treated as a Treated as a ““factfact”” by other approaches – exists when states have by other approaches – exists when states have ““powerpower”” But really based on But really based on ““recognitionrecognition”” by other states (?) and has only existed by other states (?) and has only existed

since the ideas were since the ideas were ““createdcreated”” by the by the ““Peace of WestphaliaPeace of Westphalia”” Has spread (Has spread (““diffuseddiffused””) throughout world and is now taken for granted ) throughout world and is now taken for granted

((““InstitutionalizedInstitutionalized””) - ) - there wouldnthere wouldn’’t be 192 states in world without this norm . . . .t be 192 states in world without this norm . . . .

““Logic of ConsequencesLogic of Consequences”” = Norms about IR shape how decision = Norms about IR shape how decision makers calculate costs and benefits of actionmakers calculate costs and benefits of action

““Logic of AppropriatenessLogic of Appropriateness”” = States have social = States have social ““identitiesidentities”” which which make them want to act appropriate to that identitymake them want to act appropriate to that identity Unless you are a Unless you are a ““rogue staterogue state”” you will want your actions to appear you will want your actions to appear

justified and legitimatejustified and legitimate

Example: Intervention in another state in violation of Example: Intervention in another state in violation of ““sovereigntysovereignty”” must be justified by reference to some other normmust be justified by reference to some other norm

E.g. Afghanistan (2001) vs. Iraq (2003) E.g. Afghanistan (2001) vs. Iraq (2003)

3) Post-structuralism:3) Post-structuralism:Similar to Similar to ““ConstructivismConstructivism”” in focus on ideas, but in focus on ideas, but more critical . . . .more critical . . . .

Constructivism remains committed to social science – Constructivism remains committed to social science – shame on themshame on them(!)(!)

Post-structuralism rejects Post-structuralism rejects ““foundationalistfoundationalist”” ““ontologyontology””

=No outside world of independently knowable facts – we =No outside world of independently knowable facts – we ““create/constructcreate/construct”” that world through our beliefs that world through our beliefs

IR is seen as a IR is seen as a ““discoursediscourse”” = the creation of ideas that order = the creation of ideas that order

the world into categories independent of any foundational the world into categories independent of any foundational realityreality

IR IR ““discoursediscourse”” = = ““PowerPower”” Scholarship is about creating meanings that privilege Scholarship is about creating meanings that privilege

some concerns and suppress otherssome concerns and suppress others

E.g. R.B.J. Walker on E.g. R.B.J. Walker on ““sovereigntysovereignty”” . . . . . . . .

= Not just a = Not just a ““normnorm””!!

““SovereigntySovereignty”” constructs the political universe separating constructs the political universe separating politics and values (inside sovereign states) from politics and values (inside sovereign states) from international relations.international relations.

Has big political implications for normative political philosophy = Has big political implications for normative political philosophy = ethical ethical ““dutiesduties”” end at borders! end at borders!

E.g. Killing of civilians during war . . . .E.g. Killing of civilians during war . . . .

Creates Creates ““identitiesidentities”” that divide people; and are in some way, that divide people; and are in some way, “risky”, because they are not based on some separate reality“risky”, because they are not based on some separate reality

Real problem with IR is Real problem with IR is social sciencesocial science, which masks our , which masks our actions in pseudo scientific validity . . . .actions in pseudo scientific validity . . . .

However, both However, both ““ConstructivismConstructivism”” & & ““PoststructuralismPoststructuralism”” share a fundamental rejection of realismshare a fundamental rejection of realism

=Distribution of power, =Distribution of power, ““balance of powerbalance of power”” etc. understood etc. understood in material terms means nothing outside of in material terms means nothing outside of ““normsnorms””, values, , values, or or ““discoursediscourse””

““PowerPower”” is relational – it only means something in a is relational – it only means something in a cultural contextcultural context

E.g. Some states do not see each otherE.g. Some states do not see each other’’s power as s power as threateningthreatening

E.g. Canada and the United StatesE.g. Canada and the United States

History, and culture History, and culture ““frameframe”” who is a friend and who is a who is a friend and who is a foe . . .foe . . .

Example: Alexander Wendt Example: Alexander Wendt ““Aliens and the Aliens and the security dilemmasecurity dilemma””

““Security DilemmaSecurity Dilemma””: Power is relative – anything that : Power is relative – anything that makes one state secure is inherently threatening to makes one state secure is inherently threatening to other statesother states

Closely related to Closely related to ““neorealismneorealism”” and and ““offensive offensive realismrealism”” – no role for – no role for interpretationinterpretation

Wendt: Imagine aliens arrive on earth . . .Wendt: Imagine aliens arrive on earth . . .

““NeorealismNeorealism”” = Attack them, before it is too late! = Attack them, before it is too late!

““ConstructivismConstructivism”” = We don = We don’’t know whether we t know whether we should see them as threatening or notshould see them as threatening or not

It will depend on how our interactions unfoldIt will depend on how our interactions unfold It may also depend on It may also depend on our/theirour/their culture (?) culture (?)

Poststructuralism: How do we construct Poststructuralism: How do we construct ““aliensaliens””??

4) Feminism:4) Feminism:Not really Not really ““newnew””, but its influence is growing in international , but its influence is growing in international

politicspolitics

““FeminismFeminism””: A broader social program aimed at : A broader social program aimed at understanding womenunderstanding women’’s position and addressing inequality s position and addressing inequality and oppressionand oppression

International politics is both based on, and contributes to International politics is both based on, and contributes to ““Gender RelationsGender Relations””

=how =how ““masculinitymasculinity”” and and ““femininityfemininity”” are constructed is are constructed is part of the theory and practices of international politicspart of the theory and practices of international politics

Concerns have evolved: Concerns have evolved: Liberal feminism Liberal feminism Poststructural feminism Poststructural feminism

““Gender relationsGender relations”” in practice:in practice:

““PatriarchyPatriarchy”” creates separate creates separate gender roles in which women are gender roles in which women are often in a subservient positionoften in a subservient position

E.g. E.g. ““breadwinnerbreadwinner”” myth myth E.g. The E.g. The ““Double BurdenDouble Burden””

Contributes to a global Contributes to a global ““Gendered Gendered Division of LabourDivision of Labour”” in which in which women do not receive the same women do not receive the same benefits and opportunities as benefits and opportunities as menmen

Poststructural feminists also Poststructural feminists also emphasize the broader emphasize the broader commodificationcommodification of women in of women in global capitalismglobal capitalism

““Gender relationsGender relations”” in the study of in the study of international politics:international politics:

Female scholarship has been Female scholarship has been marginalizedmarginalized

IR has been seen as IR has been seen as ““non-genderenon-genderedd””, though many of its ideas seem , though many of its ideas seem to sneak in gender constructions to sneak in gender constructions (?)(?)

E.g. HobbesE.g. Hobbes’’ state of nature state of nature E.g. Security language is sexualizedE.g. Security language is sexualized E.g. The E.g. The ““Protection MythProtection Myth”” and the and the

construction of international construction of international securitysecurity

Does IR glorify menDoes IR glorify men’’s role in s role in conflict and make women passive conflict and make women passive victims of insecurity?victims of insecurity?

““ConstructivismConstructivism””: Athens acted : Athens acted ““inappropriatelyinappropriately”” - outside of - outside of norms =norms =Rogue stateRogue state

““PoststructuralismPoststructuralism””: Thucydides is just an ancient George : Thucydides is just an ancient George

Lucas - what lessons can we learn from his Lucas - what lessons can we learn from his ““storystory”” outside of outside of the messages he was trying to convince us of? =the messages he was trying to convince us of? =Danger of Danger of basing todaybasing today’’s policy on s policy on ““tall talestall tales””

““FeminismFeminism””: Ah . . . we are basing our ideas about IR on : Ah . . . we are basing our ideas about IR on

fairytales about men with spears . . . . Really? fairytales about men with spears . . . . Really? =This is =This is exactly how IR gets exactly how IR gets ““genderedgendered”” – we should talk about the – we should talk about the world we live in . . . .world we live in . . . .

The The ““Melian DialogueMelian Dialogue”” – Thucydides – Thucydides and the Peloponnesian War:and the Peloponnesian War:

5) Conclusions: 5) Conclusions:

Key Actors/Units of Analysis:Key Actors/Units of Analysis:

A) Individuals A) Individuals

B) CulturesB) Cultures

Potentially dangerous implications???Potentially dangerous implications???

C) States – states are agentsC) States – states are agents May follow norms, but may not . . .May follow norms, but may not . . .

View of individual: View of individual: Not rationalNot rational - at least not in ways - at least not in ways other theories assumeother theories assume

Individuals socialized into pre-existing world viewsIndividuals socialized into pre-existing world views Can these views be changed for the better?Can these views be changed for the better?

View of the state: Agent influenced by identities/values View of the state: Agent influenced by identities/values Less important as an actor then Less important as an actor then ““RealismRealism””, but still , but still

importantimportant

View of international system:View of international system: Distribution of power and material capabilities less Distribution of power and material capabilities less

importantimportant Norms provide considerable structure Norms provide considerable structure Change is entirely possible and should be soughtChange is entirely possible and should be sought

Anarchy bad?Anarchy bad? Soverignty bad?Soverignty bad?

5) Strengths & Weakness of Newer 5) Strengths & Weakness of Newer Approaches:Approaches:

Strengths:Strengths:

There are probably norms in IR . . .There are probably norms in IR . . .

Interpretation, based on values, matters . . .Interpretation, based on values, matters . . .

Weaknesses:Weaknesses:

Although it argues for a normative IR, it is Although it argues for a normative IR, it is possible that critical ideas undermine this . . . .possible that critical ideas undermine this . . . .

Cultural relativism – there is no universal standard of Cultural relativism – there is no universal standard of right or wrongright or wrong

6) For Next Time . . .6) For Next Time . . .

Unit Three: Unit Three: Nationalism, Nations States and Foreign Nationalism, Nations States and Foreign PolicyPolicy

““Nationalism and States in the International SystemNationalism and States in the International System””

Required Reading:Required Reading: Globalization of World Politics, Globalization of World Politics, Chapter 25.Chapter 25. Strobe Talbott, Strobe Talbott, ““Self-Determination in an Self-Determination in an

Interdependent World,Interdependent World,”” Foreign PolicyForeign Policy, No. 118 (Spring, , No. 118 (Spring, 2000), pp. 152-163. (Available from the instructor.)2000), pp. 152-163. (Available from the instructor.)