The Social Construction of State Power: Applying Realist Constructivism

✍ Scribed by J. Samuel Barkin (editor)

• Publisher: Bristol University Press
• Year: 2020
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 248
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Realism and constructivism are often viewed as competing paradigms for understanding international relations, though scholars are increasingly arguing that the two are compatible. Edited by one of the leading proponents of realist constructivism, this volume shows what realist constructivism looks like in practice by innovatively combining exposition and critiques of the realist constructivist approach with a series of international case studies. Each chapter addresses a key empirical question in international relations and provides important guidance for how to combine both approaches effectively in research. Addressing future directions and possibilities for realist constructivism in international relations, this book makes a significant contribution to the theorizing of global politics.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Cover
The Social Construction of State Power: Applying Realist Constructivism
Copyright information
Table of contents
Notes on Contributors
1 Realist Constructivism: An Introduction
Realism and constructivism
Concepts and definitions
Oppositions
Institutions and interests
Agency and prudence
Realisms and constructivisms
Plan of the book
References
2 Causation in Realist Constructivism: Interactionality, Emergence and the Need for Interpretation
A critical realist account of causation
Causation in classical realism: rationality, interactionality and power politics
Causation in constructivism: emergence and normative structures
Co-constitution and causation between agency and structure
Theorizing the causal power of agency and structure and RC’s need for interpretivism
References
3 Constructivist and Neoclassical Realisms
Neoclassical realism
System structure
Social constructs
Method and methodology
Constructivism
Power
Conclusion
References
4 Huadu: A Realist Constructivist Account of Taiwan’s Anomalous Status
A systemic-domestic realist constructivism
Co-constitution
Huadu
Conclusion
References
5 The India–US Nuclear Deal: Norms of Power and the Power of Norms
Definitions
Methodology
Conclusion
References
6 Coercive Engagement: Lessons from US Policy towards China
Introduction
Definitions
Methodology
Rhetoric and the CTBT
Background
Rhetorical dynamics
Post-signature developments
Conclusion
References
7 Taking Co-constitution Seriously: Explaining an Ambiguous US Approach to Latin America
Towards a realist-constructivist approach
The centrality of casual deviations
A realist-constructivist approach to the study of press–state relations
Towards a realist-constructivist explanation of contemporary US–Latin American relations
Methods
Why Venezuela’s coup of 2002?
Analysing the pre-coup phase
Analysing the post-coup phase
Results
The pre-coup phase
The post-coup phase
Conclusion
References
8 The Bridging Capacity of Realist Constructivism: The Normative Evolution of Human Security and the Responsibility to Protect
Introduction
Theoretical approaches and definitions
Constructivism
Realism
Methodology
Realist constructivism
Empirical analysis
The R2P principle and the conflict in Libya
The conflict in Syria
Conclusion
References
9 Permutations and Combinations in Theorizing Global Politics: Whither Realist Constructivism?
Why stop at two?
The India–US nuclear deal: realisms, constructivisms and decolonial approaches
The anomaly of Taiwan: realisms, constructivisms and critical theories
US–Latin American relations: Realisms, constructivisms and queer approaches
Human security and R2P: Realisms, constructivisms feminisms
A case for ‘ism’ promiscuity
References
10 Saving Realist Prudence
Saving realist foreign policy from realist explanatory theory …
… downplaying interpretivism …
… and missing constructivism’s political ontology
Conclusion: Realist prudence as constructivist foreign policy strategy?
Notes
References
Index
Back Cover