Critical Theory and Constructivism

Transcription

1 Chapter 7 Pedigree of the Critical Theory Paradigm Critical Theory and Ø Distinguishing characteristics: p The critical theory is a kind of reflectivism, comparative with rationalism, or problem-solving theory. p The critical theory rooted neither in politics as the realist and liberal paradigms are, nor in economics as the radical paradigm is, but in sociology. Zhongqi Pan 1 Zhongqi Pan 2 CRITICAL THEORY (1990s) Neo-Marxism Feminism Post-modernism Post-positivism Deconstructivism Conventional Interpretative Critical/Radical Ø At the individual level p Individuals, especially elites, are major units and most important actors. p Individual elites or epistemic communities play a key role in transforming language and discourse about international politics. p Social groups and collective are also actors in international area. Zhongqi Pan 3 Zhongqi Pan 4 Ø At the state level p States behavior is shaped by elite beliefs, collective, and social norms. p Individuals in collectivities forge, shape, and change culture through ideas. p National interests are the result of the social of these actors. p State power is the power of ideas, culture, and language. Zhongqi Pan 5 Ø At the international system level p Whether the system is anarchic depends on the distribution of, not the distribution of military capabilities. p Anarchy is what states make of it. p There is no relevant distinction between the international system and the state or between international politics and domestic politics. Zhongqi Pan 6 1

2 Ø Theorizing about Theory p There exists no single general-purpose theory able to account for all questions regarding international relations. p Wendt, constructivism is not a theory of international politics ; rather, it helps to clarify the differences and relative virtues of alternative theories. Zhongqi Pan 7 Ø Theorizing about Theory p Theories of international politics are often contested on the basis of ontology and epistemology. p The critical theory argues that since there is no single objective reality, a general theory is impossible to achieve. p Constructivists turn to discourse analysis to answer the questions of IR. Zhongqi Pan 8 p Power is more than brute force; ideas are a form of power. Power Material Power Discursive Power Zhongqi Pan 9 p Constructivists believe in the power of knowledge, ideas, culture, ideology, and language, that is, discourse, or how we think and talk about the world. p The discursive power is the power to produce inter-subjective meanings within social structures, and actors ability to persuade others to accept their ideas. Zhongqi Pan 10 p Constructivists State behavior is shaped by elite beliefs,, and social norms; ideas and discourse are the driving forces that shape the world. EG: A theater fire Identity Behavior Zhongqi Pan 11 p Ideas and shape state behavior by defining national interests. p Identities tell you and others who you are and they tell you who others are, implying a particular set of interests or preferences with respect to choices of actions in particular domains, and with respect to particular actions. Zhongqi Pan 12 2

3 Identities Interests Behaviors p National are multiple and changing, therefore national interests are multiple and changing. p National interest is not pre-given and state behavior is not predetermined. Zhongqi Pan 13 p Structures constitute state and interests. p Actors also constitute structures. Structures Identities Interests Behaviors Zhongqi Pan 14 p Structures are determined by the distribution of ideas and. shared knowledge Practices material resources p Inter-subjective norms and practices are critical to the meaning of structure. Zhongqi Pan 15 p The distribution of is indicated by the degree of collective or shared. p Collective are indicated by international cultures since cultures determine how states identify each other. p Went identifies 3 kinds of international structures exemplified by three cultures. Zhongqi Pan 16 Cultures and International Structures Cultures Hobbesian Lockean Kantian Roles Enemies Rivals Friends Collective Identities Negative Neutral Positive Security Systems International Structures Theoretical Paradigms Competitive: observe no limits on the use of violence Anarchic, egoist, and self-help Individualistic: use violence but refrain from killing one another Anarchic, selfhelp, but cooperative Cooperative: do not use violence to settle disputes Anarchic, but other-help Realist Liberal p The expectation of constructivists is to create a more harmonious and peaceful international system. a world society a genuine peace system a cooperative security system a pluralistic security community Zhongqi Pan 17 Zhongqi Pan 18 3

4 p Key characteristics of a pluralistic security community : non-violent problem solving (Deutsch) mutually accepted value (Deutsch) dependable expectations (Deutsch) positive collective identity (Adler and Barnett) Zhongqi Pan 19 p To achieve such a peace system, the key is to alter state identity and to transform how states think about themselves and their relationship with other states. p That is, to cultivate and bolster positive and constructive collective. p Identities reduce uncertainty. EG: nuclear weapons in different hands Zhongqi Pan 20 Four Paths by which Norms Spread p International norms: Ethical principles about how actors should behave. Mutual expectations about how actors will behave in certain situations. Social, indicating which actors are considered to be legitimate. Zhongqi Pan 21 Zhongqi Pan 22 p Focus on the role of norms as constitutive, constraining, or enabling. p Norms and institutions play a central role in the process of transforming the fundamental nature of international politics and creating a more cooperative and peaceful world. security dilemma vs. security community Zhongqi Pan 23 PARADIGM IN BRIEF The Paradigm of Critical Theory Key actors Individuals, social groups, collective View of the Major unit, especially elites; motives individual contingent upon social discourses View of State behavior and national interests shaped the state by elite beliefs, collective norms, and social View of the international system Core concerns Whether anarchic depends on the distribution of ; nothing explained by international structures alone; belief in evolutionary change Possibility of theorizing; gender equality; power of ideas; mutual constitution between agents and structure Zhongqi Pan 24 4

5 PARADIGM IN BRIEF The Paradigm of Critical Theory Major Deconstruct concepts; advocate normative approaches innovation through construction of new images; cultivate positive collective Policy prescriptions Central concepts Major theorists Establish a pluralist security community by changing norms, institutions, and collective Idea; discourse; identity; inter-subjective understanding; culture; norms; institution; security community Wendt, Katzenstein, Hopf, Adler, Sylvester Ø Two basic claims: p The fundamental structures of int l politics are social rather than strictly material (opposes materialism). p These structures shape actor s and interests, rather than just their behavior (opposes rationalism). Zhongqi Pan 25 Zhongqi Pan 26 Ø Contributions p It returns international scholars to the foundational questions of IR (state, sovereignty, and theory). p It opens new substantive areas to inquiry (gender). p It elucidates the sources of power in ideas and how ideas shape identity. Zhongqi Pan 27 Ø Limitations p It overemphasizes the role of ideas,, and discourses, but it fails to explain why discourses rise and fall and why the new discourse will not be more malignant than what it replaces. p It does not adequately address a critical aspect of the realist worldview: the problem of uncertainty and deception. Zhongqi Pan 28 Theoretical Paradigms Compared Ø Theory in Action: Analyzing the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War p The realist paradigm p The liberal paradigm p The radical paradigm p The paradigm of critical theory Zhongqi Pan 29 5