Week 6 Reading: Constructivism

This seminar will assess the contributions of constructivism to the theory of international relations, particularly through the ‘state centric’ approach of Wendt. It will also examine constructivist claims about the origins, evolution, and impact of norms in international relations.

1. How convincing is the argument that ‘anarchy is what states make of it’?

Wendt, Alex, Social Theory of International Relations (1999), esp. Introduction, chs. 3 and 6.

Forum on Wendt’s Social Theory of International Politics, Review of International Studies, Vol. 26, no. 1 (2000).

Adler, Emanuel, ‘Seizing the Middle Ground: Constructivism in World Politics’, European Journal of International Relations, Vol. 3 (1997).

Checkel, Jeffrey, ‘The Constructivist Turn in International Relations Theory’, World Politics, Vol. 50 (1998).

Reuss-Smit, Christian, ‘Human Rights and the Social Construction of Sovereignty’, Review of International Studies, Vol. 27, No. 4 (2001).

Reuss-Smit, Christian, The Moral Purpose of the State (1999).
- posted by Milan @ 1:48 PM