Constructivism and Rationalism

Antagonistic or Complementary?

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations
Cover of the book Constructivism and Rationalism by Samuel Schmid, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Samuel Schmid ISBN: 9783640904600
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: May 2, 2011
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Samuel Schmid
ISBN: 9783640904600
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: May 2, 2011
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Essay from the year 2010 in the subject Politics - International Politics - General and Theories, grade: 1.0, University of Luzern, course: Hauptseminar 'International Cooperation', language: English, abstract: With the so-called constructivist turn in the social sciences, the relevance of ideational elements for (the construction of) social reality has been increasingly acknowledged. In political science, ideas and norms were always a concern, but never became central until this turn that started out around 1990 (Finnemore and Sikkink 1998: 890). So, it is rather a return to traditional positions and research interests than a mere turn, but with the decisive difference that ideational factors (such as ideas, norms, frames, paradigms, identities etc.) are viewed as the most pivotal ingredients for political results - at least by constructivists themselves (ibid. 888). Rationalists apparently reject these assumptions by labeling interests and according rational behavior as the most crucial elements for political outcomes. Thus, in International Relations Theory, '[t]he opposition of constructivist and 'rationalist' arguments that has become widespread [...] implies that the issues constructivists study (norms, identities) are not rational and, similarly, that 'rationalists' cannot or do not treat norms or identities in their research programs' (Finnemore and Sikkink 1998: 909). But is that really true? Do rationalism and constructivism exclude each other in this respect? Or, in other words, are concepts like ideas, norms, and identities more antagonistic than complementary to the notion of rational utility-maximization? In this essay, I argue that, while materialism (as in classical realism) is clearly opposed to constructivism, rationalism is more complementary than contradictory to constructivism (or vice-versa; see Hurd 2010). Furthermore, this view could also lead to a more fruitful debate. In order to show this, first, the three approaches relevant here (materialism, rationalism, and constructivism) are outlined in relation to each other. Second, the core assumptions of constructivism are discussed in light of this context. Third, I reflect on ideas and interests - which are often seen as antagonistic concepts - and show how their relationship is more complex than normally considered. Finally, the concluding discussion tries to come up with a potential answer to the outlined question.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Essay from the year 2010 in the subject Politics - International Politics - General and Theories, grade: 1.0, University of Luzern, course: Hauptseminar 'International Cooperation', language: English, abstract: With the so-called constructivist turn in the social sciences, the relevance of ideational elements for (the construction of) social reality has been increasingly acknowledged. In political science, ideas and norms were always a concern, but never became central until this turn that started out around 1990 (Finnemore and Sikkink 1998: 890). So, it is rather a return to traditional positions and research interests than a mere turn, but with the decisive difference that ideational factors (such as ideas, norms, frames, paradigms, identities etc.) are viewed as the most pivotal ingredients for political results - at least by constructivists themselves (ibid. 888). Rationalists apparently reject these assumptions by labeling interests and according rational behavior as the most crucial elements for political outcomes. Thus, in International Relations Theory, '[t]he opposition of constructivist and 'rationalist' arguments that has become widespread [...] implies that the issues constructivists study (norms, identities) are not rational and, similarly, that 'rationalists' cannot or do not treat norms or identities in their research programs' (Finnemore and Sikkink 1998: 909). But is that really true? Do rationalism and constructivism exclude each other in this respect? Or, in other words, are concepts like ideas, norms, and identities more antagonistic than complementary to the notion of rational utility-maximization? In this essay, I argue that, while materialism (as in classical realism) is clearly opposed to constructivism, rationalism is more complementary than contradictory to constructivism (or vice-versa; see Hurd 2010). Furthermore, this view could also lead to a more fruitful debate. In order to show this, first, the three approaches relevant here (materialism, rationalism, and constructivism) are outlined in relation to each other. Second, the core assumptions of constructivism are discussed in light of this context. Third, I reflect on ideas and interests - which are often seen as antagonistic concepts - and show how their relationship is more complex than normally considered. Finally, the concluding discussion tries to come up with a potential answer to the outlined question.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book The Concept of Metamorphosis in Literature by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book Metaphors we Love by by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book The depiction of war in the novels 'Slaughterhouse-Five' and 'A Farewell to Arms' by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book Krise und Kriegsausbruch im Sommer 1914 by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book The global green consumer - A cross border market by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book The Metamorphosis of Alex in Stanley Kubrick's 'Clockwork Orange' from a Viewpoint of Abnormal Psychology by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi: Mensch und Menschenbild by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book Wladimir Putin Leadership by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book Wearing Heavy Boots -Trauma in Jonathan Safran Foer's 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book Celtic Connections - How much Celtic is in Irish English? by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book Work Stress. Why Organisations should focus on it and provide effective examples by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book Is the study of Intercultural Communication Applied Anthropology? by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book The Managing Diversity program of the Deutsche Bank by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book Corporate Analysis 'Nebelhornbahn AG CS' by Samuel Schmid
Cover of the book Political experiments in Eastern Europe: Civil society by Samuel Schmid
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy