POLS 051 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Mahatma Gandhi, United Fruit Company
23 Dec 2018
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Document Summary
Constructivists agree that we live in an anarchic world, but they believe it can lead to cooperation. Core assumptions: (1) interests are constructed, not assumed (same for realists and liberals) (2) identities, beliefs and norms shape interests (3) actors are most important (doesn"t have to be leaders), sometimes states. Constructivists think changes in values, norms or beliefs cause a cyclical effect that changes people"s behavior: not a direct x to y cause and effect like in realism and liberalism. Democratic peace, for constructivists, occurs because of certain norms: (1) transparency (2) value for the rule of law (3) acquainted with negotiations and compromise. Social constructivism is based on the importance of identity and how a state sees itself: external identity is determined by interaction with others, and can change. Agent-driven constructivism: who makes the decisions affects what decisions are made (ghandi versus hitler) Individuals can change our ideas, they don"t have to be our leaders.
