Anarchy is what States Make of it: The Social Construction of Power Politics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from Alexander Wendt's article on the social construction of power politics in international relations.

Anarchy

A condition in which there is no central authority, leading to a self-help system among states.

Constructivism

A theory that emphasizes the social construction of identities and interests in international relations.

Self-help

The principle in anarchic systems where states must rely on their own capabilities for security.

Neorealism

A theory that focuses on the structure of the international system and posits that anarchy compels states toward competitive power politics.

Neoliberalism

A theory emphasizing the role of institutions and cooperation among states within an anarchic system.

Security dilemma

A situation where actions taken by one state to enhance its security cause insecurity in others, potentially leading to conflict.

Sovereignty

The concept that states have the ultimate authority within their territorial boundaries and are recognized as such by other states.

Reciprocal typifications

The process by which identities and meanings are formed through social interaction and the mutual definitions of self and other.

Cognitive constructivism

An approach that focuses on how social interactions shape the identities and interests of states, emphasizing the role of shared knowledge.

Power politics

A system of international relations based on the competition for power among self-interested states.

Mutual recognition

The acknowledgment by states of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, forming a basis for stable international relations.

Collective identity

The understanding among states that their interests are interconnected and that they must cooperate for mutual security.

Interaction

The actions and reactions between states that shape their identities, interests, and the nature of their relationships.

Behavioralism

An approach that emphasizes the observable actions and interactions of states over the underlying social and cognitive processes.

Microeconomic analogy

The view that state behavior can be understood similarly to individual economic choices, often assuming given identities and interests.