1. Three perspectives on international politics IR theories: Constructivism

2. Constructing global affairs Constructivism- two parts  Sociological Institutionalism (structure) Role of international norms Norms, institutions, organizations Norm creation and enforcement  Transnationalism (agency) Principled non-state actors Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

3. Two research agendas Sociological institutionalism ( focus on structure) how does the social environment of states shape their identities and interests? Transnationalism (focus on agency) What is the role of non-state actors and transnational relations in global affairs? Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

4. Contesting the Prisoners’ Dilemma: Identity and Norms Neither anarchy nor interdependence…..  Identity  Beliefs  Norms  Strategies: socialization and persuasion (not the threat/use of force and economic cooperation). Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

5. A View of the World Not a theory of international relations, but a set of assumptions about how to study it. Realist power politics is one possible scenario of world politics, but not the only one. Reality is a social, not an objective fact.  The Soviet Union disappeared, because people stopped believing in it. Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

6. Re-envisioning security Before 1989, the United States felt threatened by the Soviet military. Today, this threat is perceived to be much lower. Why?  Realism: Russia is objectively weaker.  Institutionalism: Economic ties mitigate conflict.  Constructivism: Nuclear weapons have not disappeared, but the threat perception (ideas) about them.  Ideas help construct a social environment, not just brute material forces. Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

7. Constructed reality Anarchy is neither destiny (realism), nor a disincentive to cooperation (institutionalism). “ Anarchy is what states make of it.” Alexander Wendt Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

8. Doing what is “right” States are neither in a perpetual state of war (realism), nor do they only cooperate for their own profit (liberalism). Most states follow most international rules most of the time (Theodor Meron). Norms work without enforcement (realism) and sometimes even without economic incentives and self-interest (liberal institutionalism). Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

9. A constructivist perspective: norms and identity Shared norms> socialization through IGOs and NGOs > common identity > interests > global policies (world government) Define norms: “collectively shared understandings of appropriate behavior” Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

10. Norms, Institutions, Organizations Norms: Collectively shared understandings of appropriate behavior. Institutions: Sets of rules which stipulate how to cooperate/compete. Organizations: Institutions endowed with autonomy and actor qualities. Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

11. Security strategies: the rule of norms (not deterrence or trade) Universally accepted norms of human rights should replace national interests (on security and economic relations). Creation of a world government Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

12. The Power of Norms: Constructivism Cooperation International institutions Norms Power Socialization From norms to governance The International System Expectations promoted by IGOs and NGOs Global governance Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Hans Peter Schmitz

13. What institutions do Punish and shame violators Create transparency Legitimize the mobilizatio n of NGOs Result : States are constituted by norms and ideas Express a global consensus among all states Establish rules of appropriate conduct >>> Socialization of states Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

14. Cultural Accounts of IR Claim: Ideas and Norms play an independent role in international politics by “pulling” actors towards action. From Ideas to Global Organizations: +actor qualitiesOrganizations +explicit rulesInstitutions +collectively sharedNorms Individual BeliefsIdeas Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

15. How to study norms? How do norms emerge and evolve in international politics? How are norms translated into behavior? When do norms matter? What measures are likely to increase norm effectiveness? Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

16. Emergence and Diffusion Norm Entrepreneurs  Mechanism: Persuasion and Lobbying  Framing and Shaming  Example: Raphael Lemkin (genocide page)Raphael Lemkin genocide page Norm Cascade  Mechanism: Reputation and Socialization  Desire to be accepted/part of a community  Example: Global ban on the death penalty Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

17. Following norms Occasional transgressions of a norm are not a sign of irrelevance, as long as such behavior is identified as a violation. Cultural principles (human rights, environmentalism, etc.) diffuse globally. Studying interests only (national or economic, misses many sources of change in global affairs. Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

18. From norms to institutions States (and other entities) act not primarily in response to material needs and interests, but to social norms. International institutions are neither insignificant (neorealism), nor are they only reflections of the cooperation among self- interested states (liberal institutionalism). Instead, they are fully autonomous and the primary carriers of world cultural principles. Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

19. Why norms matter Realism  Fear of penalty/coercion by someone else; passive resistance likely (obedience) Liberal institutionalism  In my best interest, compliance is a means; (autonomous compliance) Idealism/Constructivism  Internalized, compliance is an end in itself; (habit- driven conformity) Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

20. Transnationalism: norm agency “Liberalism” adds to institutionalist theory (explaining where the interests for cooperation come from) in the same way that: >>> Transnationalism adds to sociological institutionalism. Transnational non-state activism is a major tool for spreading norms and ideas. Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

21. Definition: transnationalism Transnational relations are “regular interactions across national boundaries when at least one actor is a non-state agent or does not operate on behalf of a national government or an intergovernmental organization.” (Thomas Risse-Kappen, Introduction, in Bringing Transnational Relations Back In: Non-State Actors, Domestic Structure and International Institutions, Cambridge University Press 1995, p. 3) Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

22. Transnational activism Transnational activists are major carriers of world cultural principles/norms (human rights, environmental protection, etc.). Examples: Greenpeace, Amnesty International, Oxfam, Jubilee 2000; etc. Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

23. Norm entrepreneurs/carriers Non-state actors (even with insignificant material resources) matter in world affairs. State-to-state relations are increasingly supplemented/subverted by transnational connections. Transnational activists are major carriers of world cultural principles (human rights, environmental protection, peace). Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz

24. Summary: Constructivism Constructivism maintains that international relations are socially constructed. Combination of sociological institutionalism (structure) and transnationalism (agency). Norms play a crucial role in constructing the social environment of states. Non-state actors have authority as carriers of universal principles and norms. Wednesday, January 30, 2008Hans Peter Schmitz