POL 2103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Bayesian Probability, International Relations Theory, Homo Economicus
6 Apr 2016
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Anarchy is what states make of it social structures & ir agents & structures social constructions, contingency & change. Now: major rival to neo-realism & neo-liberalism. Origins: critical international relations theory (1980s) critique of epistemological & ontological assumptions (realism/neo-realism. Constructivism criticizes the ontological assumptions of n-r and n-l: individualism. Example: tries to explain things like politics or ideologies via the individual. Margaret thatcher: there is no such thing as society. When deciding to do something, you choose the one option that maximizes the benefits and reduces the costs (this belief has similarities to utilitarianism) a conscious, deliberate choice utility = value probability. Example: you select the option that maximizes your utility, which is calculated by taking the goal that you think the action will achieve and multiplying it by the probability of that goal being attained. Actors: considered to be self-interested, believed to be acting instrumentally.
