Knowledge is constructed in interactions with people and things in a person’s environment. Knowledge is the result of learning what has value and meaning. It is with this insight that people make sense out of their world.
I Epistemology and IR theory: IR theories can be roughly divided into one of two epistemological camps: "positivist" and "post-positivist".
A. Positivist theories aim to replicate the methods of the natural sciences by analysing
the impact of material forces. They typically focus on features of international
relations such as state interactions, size of military forces, balance of powers etc.
1. Realism- states are self-interested, power-seeking rational actors, who seek to maximize their
security and chances of survival.
2. Liberal international relations theory- states mutually gain from cooperation and that war
was so destructive that it is essentially futile. Eventually liberal theorists proposed human
rights as the basis for the legitimacy of international law.
3. Neorealism ("structural realism")- While retaining the empirical observations of realism, that
international relations are characterized by antagonistic interstate relations, neorealists point to
the anarchic structure of the international system as the cause.
4. Neoliberalism- states are the key actors in international relations, but non-state actors (NSAs)
and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) matter.
B. Post-positivist epistemology rejects the idea that the social world can be studied in an objective and value-free way. It rejects the central ideas of neo-realism/liberalism, such as rational choice theory, on the grounds that the scientific method cannot be applied to the social world and thus to IR.
1. International society theory (the English School)- focuses on the shared norms and values of
states and how they regulate international relations. Examples of such norms include
diplomacy, order, and international law. They value the significance of humanitarian
intervention.
2. Social Constructivism- aim to address questions of ontology as well as questions of
epistemology. Constructivism claims that the behavior of humans is determined by their
identity, which itself is shaped by society's values, history, practices, and institutions.
Constructivists hold that all institutions, including the state, are socially constructed.
II Constructivist theory holds that it is possible to change the anarchic nature of the system of states.
A. Constructivist theory rejects the basic assumption of neo-realist theory that the state of anarchy (lack of a higher authority or government) is a structural condition inherent in the system of states.
B. The structures of human association are determined primarily by shared ideas rather than material forces.
C. The identities and interests of purposive actors are constructed by these shared ideas rather than given by material (realist) interest.
III The social constructs of the state actors:
A. The values, culture, identity, the goals, threats, fears, and other elements of "social reality" that are
primary guides to state actions.
B. “One of the problems with theories based on rationality, interests and utility maximization is that they do not take into consideration that the acts of a state or non state entity depends largely on what values are related to its identity.
C. However, international values and norms also play a role in how states will act.
D. Thus if we are going to understand how a state will act we must understand the social structures the state is committed to (local, national and international).”
(By S. M. Thomas-textbook for Comparative Religion Class, p. 80)
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