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Constructivism & Classical Liberalism

Constructivism & Classical Liberalism. Constructivism. Society of states rather than atomistic units Norms, ideas, identities, rhetoric matter Constitutive and regulatory rules -Constitutive rules: the underlying rules of the system -Regulative rules: regulate interaction. Martha Finnemore.

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Constructivism & Classical Liberalism

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  1. Constructivism& Classical Liberalism

  2. Constructivism • Society of states rather than atomistic units • Norms, ideas, identities, rhetoric matter • Constitutive and regulatory rules -Constitutive rules: the underlying rules of the system -Regulative rules: regulate interaction

  3. Martha Finnemore • Realist and liberal theories do not provide a good explanation of humanitarian intervention • Norms shape states’ interest and behavior

  4. Constructivist Agenda • Examine the role of specific ideas and norms ->Anti-apartheid, anti-slavery, human rights, banning of land mines, humanitarian intervention • The role of networks in spreading norms, policies, ideas • The role of identities in shaping state behavior • The role of perception and rhetorical action

  5. Critique • Wishful thinking, discount potential for conflict • Ideas and norms are trumped over by power and interests • Difficult to test/verify validity of theory

  6. Classical Liberalism • Domestic politics and institutions matter • Liberal principles • Market and private property economy • State sovereignty and self-determination • Individual rights: free press, free speech; right to assembly; religious toleration; • Constitutional and representative government • Checks and balances

  7. Conditions for Liberal Peace • Immanuel Kant (Perpetual Peace, 1795) • Liberal republican government • A pacific union/federation • Mutual non-aggression pact • Role of reason • Recognition of rights of other liberal states • Cosmopolitan law of universal hospitality • Right of access

  8. Liberal States and Imperialism • Joseph Schumpeter (Sociology of Imperialism, 1919): • Democracy and trade result in pacifism • Niccolo Machiavelli (XVc. Florence) • Republics best suited for imperial expansion • Lenin (Imperialism, the Latest Stage of Capitalism, 1974) • Capitalism inevitably leads to imperialism

  9. Democratic Peace Theory • Democracies do not fight wars with each other • Role of publics • Checks and balances • Appreciate rights of non-republics • Role of trade and transnational constituencies?

  10. Evidence of Democratic Peace Liberal Regimes and the Pacific Union 60 50 50 40 29 30 20 13 10 8 3 0 18th c. 1800-1850 1850-1900 1900-1945 1945-1982

  11. Critique of Liberalism • Idealist and Utopian • Public opinion in democracies often supportive of wars • Relation between democracy and peace spurious (explained by a third factor such as balance of power) • Peace encourages democracy rather than vice versa.

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