CONSTRUCTIVISM A USEFUL APPRAOCH

Constructivism a useful approach for thinking about world politics

Constructivism a useful approach for thinking about world politics

Realism asserts that there exists an objective physical reality, which is independent of human observers, and that it is possible for science to attain true (correct) knowledge of this reality. Relativism asserts that it is not cognitively meaningful to speak of such an objective reality. Any piece of knowledge is (and must be) constructed by individuals, for some specific purpose and in some particular context; and its "truth value" can then only be determined in relation to this purpose and context. So, let us take a closer look at the accusation: Why is relativism such an anathema? Anything goes?

The relativity of knowledge that is inherent in radical constructivism is claimed, by many of the critics, to imply that one must assume all knowledge to be "equally true". The necessity for any student involved in studying theories in international politics and international political phenomena to look at history and diplomacy and to deal with concepts such as the balance of power, anarchical international society, national interests and interdependence, has been largely recognized by the academic community. It has very seldom given an explicit implication to the principles of normative concerns in the field such as the ethics of an autonomous state and environmental issues.

The paradox is that normative concerns for the field are not a novelty. Starting to unravel the legal establishment of the field, the first phase, a normative discipline at the beginning of the twentieth century was driven by normative considerations; at the beginning, investigations into the 'mystery of war' which characterized the anarchical international system were identified by the 'idealistic phase'. The pursuing of an analogy with the domestic sphere of politics has been explicitly melted in the ideas of 'peace through law' and 'peace through international institutions' which became the superior morality for international Society.

The First World War and the failure of the 'professional of diplomacy' to establish a well regulated world order, permitted to Edward Carr to presume that a new science has been born: i.e. that of international politics. This new discipline came about through the popularization of international politics in English-speaking societies. One reason for increased interest in this area of study was that there existed popular suspicion against secret treaties, as it was believed they were as the main cause of war (Carr,1939: 3). The focus of inquiry at that time was the avoidance of war and to preventing its reoccurrence. Such circumstances identified idealism as an intellectual view which encompassed several countries. The notion of 'peace through international law' and institutions appeared to crystallize the new world order.

Starting from a premature concern over normative concerns the field in the inter-war period showed that the 'mystery of war' and the increasing tension in the international system remained unresolved. This resulted in weaknesses of the previous understanding which led to the emergence of realism as the intellectual dominance for ...