Constructivism - IR

Social Being

States and individuals are constituted by social interaction and shared meanings, not just material capabilities.

Structuration

Social structures shape agents, but agents also reproduce or change structures through their actions.

Norms

Shared standards of appropriate behaviour that influence state and non-state actions in IR.

Identity

States’ actions are shaped by their identities (how they see themselves and others), not just interests.

Intersubjectivity

Shared ideas, beliefs, and understandings between actors that give meaning to international politics.

Social Construction

State interests are not fixed but socially constructed through interaction, norms, and identity.

Socialisation

Process by which states learn and adopt norms through interaction, persuasion, and peer pressure.

Logic of Anarchy

Hobbesian (enemies) - socialisation under coercion, goal is survival

Lockean (rivals) - socialisation under competition, absolute gains and who benefits

Kantian (friends) - socialisation under cooperation, common beliefs and morality