International Relations Today, IR 101 Episode 3: Constructivism

[@anamariawaschnewski4439]

These are the notes that I took during the video, maybe they help somebody: - Concerned with the role of identities and social practices in the international system - Coined by Nicholas Ofman, breakthrough of the theory usually associated with the sudden end of the Cold War, which could not be explained by either realism or liberalism - Starting point of the theory : IR = social construct that has the potential to change - Argument: there is nothing natural/ given in social practices - They analyse these social practices by studying the nature of reality = the study of ontology - Example by Nicholas Wheeler: we can think of constructivism as we think of money, when we stop assigning any meaning to either one of those, they have no meaning in themselves, they lose their significance. - Constructivism does not see states as rational egoist actors in IR - Constructivism does not reduce states to their material level/ material interests that states may have - State as the central actor in IR -Identities shape how states think about their interests -Normative/ idealist preferences are just as important, if not even more important than the material level -Identities give actors interests, and those interests tell actors how to behave/interact -Anarchy is what states make of it, it is not the given unchanging state in IR as L or R would say (Alexander Wendt) -Anarchy can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the meaning that the actors ascribe it to it -For Wendt, the structure of anarchy is not given but constituted of mutual agreements and of norms and rules = -because we have come to believe that we live in an anarchic system, we act accordingly -Given this, there can be two types of relations between states -First type: amity -Second type: enmity -These types offer states the possibilities to act within a whole range of possibilities -Example: While US and USSR cooperated together to defeat the axis of power during WWII, this relation has changed as soon as there was no more common enemy to fight against. So: amity -> enmity -> Cold War -Main debates/ streams of the theory: -Conventional constructivism -What? - type questions -Tends to accept key aspects of neorealist thinking (e.g. the centrality of state in IR) -Assumes that states in IR act according to their identity and therefore it is possible to predict their future behaviour by looking at their identity -When identity changes, they investigate why that change took place -Critical constructivism -How? -type questions (How did a state come to believe in that certain identity?) -Main interest: what component parts make up a state’s identity; they question language, discourse, and the reality of meaning -Believes that an actor’s identity is created through spoken/written communication -Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault

[@malwandebongekile2842]

How can we apply this theory to the current issue of the US-China Trade war

[@marcelinoamadeus6808]

OMG THANKS, this helped me alottt!

[@chengduan3639]

THANK YOU!!!

[@masterboiboi]

@@malwandebongekile2842 you have to use international trade branch of economics to expl

[@chich3159]

you are an angel!

[@SirLoftyII]

bruh im only 2 mins into the video and i know its golden, im doing a thesis on one piece about international relations, and this is gonna help me lots, thank you for uploading this, im going to use the info from this to explain constructivism.

[@richardzhuu]

This was super clear and it really helped a lot!! Thanks IR Today! :)

[@kdtrsTV]

P

[@robbycahyadi9920]

I love how you provide clarification on the classification of Constructivism understanding in IR, most of other KZbin videos about the theory didn't touch it. keep it up! very helpful to other IR enthusiast

[@georgia8239]

I'm writing a paper on the Rohingya genocide using constructivist theory and realism and this video helped so much so thank you !!!!!!

[@paulacotelo9369]

I love the examples and how they explain in such an easy way. I’m not a native English speaker and I’ve been able to understand everything. Thank you guys for the hard work!! 🧡🧡

[@arundhutisaha4774]

This was so much on point with a presence of super clarity! Such videos on Critical theory, Modernism, Post-modernism, Functionalism and Structuralism (all from the grounds of IR) would be of immense help! Thank you! :)

[@EducationMarketingLeader]

I'm watching this video because the lecturer at my university does a horrible job explaining constructivism. I did not understand one thing by watching his 21 minute video. This 11 minute video helped me understand constructivism. Thanks for posting!

[@UnrealEpic]

Thank you very much sebastian my interest in constructivism has definitely been peaked! You explain with clarity and conviction

[@rynor7132]

Is this an accurate summation of the three IR paradigms? Realism - only the state matters and every state operates under the premise of self interests. They also assume all the other states operate under the same premise. States are in a constant state of anarchy because there are no global police officers to appeal to with regard to international relations. Liberalism - Operates under the ideal of Globalism and interdependence. While the states matter, they look more to international organizations like UN, IMF etc. They looked to interaction and interdependency as a way to prevent future world wars. Liberalism’s globalist organizations are a place for states to appeal to for international solutions and therefore a cure for the constant anarchy. Constructivism - sees the states as the central actor on the international system but it subscribes to the idea that the rules can be changed at any time by societal agreement. Like realism, Constructivism believes the state is in constant anarchy but anarchy is what each state makes of it, meaning, multiple states manage the anarchy between one another by developing mutually beneficial agreements.

[@scarletth.5835]

Thank you so much for what you have done for IR students! Like your calm voice and clear logic. BRAVO!!!

[@Bbypoo]

oh I need him to teach me constructivism practically

[@lungilencube6842]

Wow what a powerful example when explaining amity and enmity amongst countries . That was a good one .

[@BenchaibOumhani]

Wow just better than the whole past year at university studying ir theories and getting nothing

[@amandac.galdino2729]

ohhhhh Sebatiannn, you are so cute, I loved your smiling! thank you for the explanation

[@mutjed]

Yeah I got kinda distracted from what he was saying by how cute he is lol

[@brieelizzabeth]

Thank you, this video was very helpful to understand this topic better and how it relates/differs from the other IR theories.

[@false_binary]

GREAT vid Sebastian! This was an excellent breakdown of Constructivism. My senior seminar research question started "What factors under..."; it would seem I am a Conventional Constructivist!

[@sykk5985]

Please start adding information in presentation slides or a PDF link below... that'd really help

[@moonici5596]

Thank you Seb, you touched up major points very intelligently :)

[@noahdiment5748]

Great video, going to use this to help write my masters dissertaion.

[@gabstarohthree]

This was really clear and helpful, thank you!! I think my mark for this essay might come down to your explanation having saved me..

[@LearnScribbling]

Why this channel is not posting more videos 😭😭

[@nya5307]

RIGHT I NEED THEM TO START POSTING AGAIN

[@prahaladbhukhar5634]

thanks dear............that was very sucinct and shophisticated input on Constructivism

[@candelariapombootero7494]

Now, back to my essay, which i have not started and i have about... 5 hours to make. Thanks.

[@josueabraham1993]

Man this is my first time that I watched one of your videos, Currently I am stuyding IR and I'd be great to me to listen you if you have podcast on Spotify or something like that

[@YounasJam]

You have provided an amazing explanation. Thanks, IR Today and Sebastian!

[@saherotho7320]

You have wonderfully explained ...im from pakistan really helpfull ..will be waiting for further videos..

[@beccarosex]

Really helpful for my essay on constructivism, thank you!!

[@kifayatkhankhan8099]

Thank u sir. U have made the topic quite easy. Keep it up and upload lecture on conventional theories of IR

[@costatessa5456]

Would you consider to go on a date?

[@majesticnature1968]

😂

[@just_a_light]

🤣😂😅Focus

[@syedafaryal3883]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😆🤣😆🤣😆🤣😆🤣😆🤣😆🤣😆

[@md.mehedihasan5868]

It’s great contribution to assist

[@jerrylopinaldo2511]

I really need this, thank you!!!!!

[@desmilliasaptarema859]

I always remember "Anarchy is not given"

[@quratulain983]

Super awesome...please make more videos on IR concepts and its scope..

[@lutfiafirdaus7269]

it helps me a lot! thank youu

[@DeReaper]

thanks for such an amazing and informative video seb!

[@Chloe-oz9nv]

Thank so much - this was brilliant

[@leilakhademhosseini5412]

it was very clear and helpful! thanks

[@mohammadalamamin]

Thank you, Please could you explain in details Critical Constructivism, I really need it ?

[@italktoomuch6442]

So when does international relations start considering domestic politics? That seems to me the most significant factor in international affairs.

[@kafeel_ahmed]

Short summary from the above video may help you to understand the main crux: Constructivism is an international relations theory that focuses on the role of identities and social practices in the international system. It argues that states' interests and behavior are shaped by their identities, and that the meaning ascribed to concepts like anarchy or nuclear weapons can vary depending on the relationships between states. Constructivism provides an alternative lens for analyzing international affairs, emphasizing the importance of social interactions and ideas in addition to material factors.

[@stiwiegriffin]

Your great men thanks for lecture

[@derrickvhim5958]

God bless

[@priyatirkey4249]

thanku ,this helped me for my internals

[@Princemathaniaa]

Thanks a lot❤️

[@mohammadnishadhassan1648]

thank you so much

[@서지안-y2h]

Thank you! It was very helpful

[@Abd_707]

Ideological difference

[@wiamhammouchene7902]

Another important author: Ted Hopf and his article "the promise od constructivism in IR theory"

[@mokhikhan8382]

Thank you

[@phideliaserwaah8788]

Does a state's identity reflects constructed international norms.

[@simmibhandari1517]

Informative

[@dashafilms]

Thank you:)

[@fedonelkabundi3897]

your viedo was very intersting and rich in knowledge why can't you make more

[@aliabdollahi3320]

Good Job,,

[@MarthaStephany]

gracias, te amo💌

[@ruthbircham7340]

Thank you....

[@psirwithprudence2373]

Yes.it developed post cold war era

[@MudasirKhan-t5w]

Lovee you bosss

[@helenmiller6342]

Great info. Very helpful. What a hottie. 10/10 recommend watching this muted. XD

[@johnesark.3058]

but what if we say that the end of the cold war was dictated not by change of identities and beliefs, but by economic struggles that were taking place inside the Soviet Union at the time that were the main factor of change of foreign policy

[@mikkelsager6586]

Is there any sources where it is possible to read further about the tenets and the two branches?

[@iona8714]

Could you make some videos about philosophy in IR? It confuses me a lot

[@youri8172]

i loveeeed it

[@jesperboon5622]

nice :)

[@muhammadsyachdan2854]

bravo

[@tomjedusor7966]

The meaning we ascribe to objects

[@basedman7568]

This line of thinking can only really apply to hyper idealist nations like the Third Reich or Stalin's USSR, as the driving logic of these countries was their human (irrational) idealism rather than the objective forces of capital.

[@edmondherrera6288]

thankk youuuu

[@danielmanyowa2013]

I'm looking for a scholarship to study master's degree in international relations

[@d.phantom32]

how would a constructivism approach deal with covid 19

[@desmilliasaptarema859]

Upload more please thanks

[@salihbadshah4789]

Hello sir,Can I find the PDF of the given lecture .I mean constructivism in IR......

[@ldhiya23]

I found an ebook that has the same thing he talks about. you can search this on google scholar Stephen, M., Rosie, W., & Shristian, S. (2017). International Relations Theory. E-International Relations, Bristol, England, 15-76

[@mycricketfamily07]

Please provide us PDFs

[@salehalzokari9808]

Do you find constructivism a useful approach for thinking about world politics? Why, or why not?

[@malwandebongekile2842]

How can constructivism theory be applied to the US-China trade war

[@Willys-Wagon]

This is my layman view so please take it with a grain of salt. To me it seems constructivism augments and expends in liberalism it that's the concept that institutions, and belief systems can positively regulate an archaic system to the next logical level by including social norms, languages, and view the system itself as a artificial construct therefore malleable.

[@DineWithAisha]

what about social constructivism?

[@antooniekidd6534]

How would constructivist explains Russia's actions towards Ukraine?

[@tris2806]

Pls upload more

[@sparcoegineeronaktecnical9537]

what does it mean by state identities?

[@tinamoney1]

like the values a state holds. a lot of it is cultural

[@justonce7749]

so handsome

[@seirahefn1100]

i've recently come across the term "constructive realism" ... any comments on this will be very helpful.

[@kalpanigimsara4143]

Can't concentrate because He's so cute

[@rroocasweq1646]

How can I focus on the lesson if he's super hot???

[@muhajirbedebest8653]

ADA GAK YANG VERSI BAHASA INDONESIA.

[@psirwithprudence2373]

Kindly provide pdf...if you can or anyone among those who have commented in this video

[@markmathiesen9351]

I think you are very good and help me a lot in school

[@Eeeemmmmiiiiiil]

5:25

[@drbuckley1]

If there is nothing natural about human practices, then the conventional tools of the natural sciences (e.g., math, scientific method) become irrelevant. Indeed, I question whether one can identify as a Political "Scientist" if one dispenses with the method.

[@AhmedAli-ej2ts]

Why does it take more than a month for you guys to make a single video?

[@Objectivityiskey]

No, money means everting. Money is a representation of life energy spent producing work. to discount this concept is to discount objective reality. It discount the life energy of every individual that has produced something. Sad, just sad.

[@InnerPurpose]

Constructivism was not founded by an American it was founded by a European, Swiss psychologist, author and writer Jean Piaget, in 1957. Be careful about ensuring your sources are accurate.

[@BasicLib]

IR constructivism(Wendt) is different from Constructivism in Psychology (Piaget) similar to how IR liberalism (Kant) is different from political liberalism (locke)

[@mariarfromcd10_dh49]

Yawn fest. Lost me afer 30 seconds. People need to go read the top scholars in their field and learn to think for themselves rather than copying a dude on youtoob. Now go read Wendt as a start