3 Constructivism and postcolonialism

In this section of the course, you will gain an understanding of two important perspectives within contemporary International Relations: constructivism and postcolonialism. Whilst both of these approaches touch upon the importance of ideas, identities and discourse in understanding International Relations, their different starting points mean that they approach these issues in contrasting ways.

Activity 3

Timing: Allow approximately 30 minutes

Part 1: Constructivism theory quiz

Timing: 10 minutes

Watch the animation about Constructivism in International Relations, then work through the set of flashcards, in each case choosing the one that best reflects the constructivist perspective.

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Transcript: Video 5 Constructivism in International Relations

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Constructivism argues that international relations is shaped by ideas. It is socially constructed rather than determined solely by material forces. Constructivism encompasses a broad range of perspectives. Some constructivists adopt positivist problem-solving methods and look for causal explanations, whereas others challenge the possibility of such explanations, drawing on post-positivist and interpretive methods.

Constructivism in international relations emerged in the late 1980s. This was a time when mainstream theories struggled to account for the end of the Cold War and the rise of globalism, neoliberalism, and new forms of international cooperation. Whilst neorealists and neoliberals attribute international change to material forces, like military might and economic independence, constructivists argue that changes are better explained by the role that ideas play.

Constructivists draw attention to the role of ideas in two key ways. First, they argue that identity shapes state behaviour. Identities are socially constructed through interaction with others. These identities inform an actor's interests and preferences.

In an influential article, "Anarchy is What States Make of It," Alexander Wendt argues that power alone can't explain who will be allies and adversaries and who will support or resist the system. We must examine how identities are constructed and how states perceive one another.

The second key way constructivists focus on the role of ideas in international relations is through norms. Norms are the shared rules or principles that shape some actions as sensible, appropriate, or morally right and others as irrational, inappropriate, or morally problematic. Scholars such as Peter Katzenstein, Martha Finnemore, Kathryn Sikkink, and Amitav Acharya have demonstrated how norms shape state behaviour and how norm entrepreneurs promote and institutionalise these norms.

Their studies have shown how collective understandings of sovereignty, international law, and humanitarian intervention all constitute norms that have developed over time. Some critics of constructivism argue that its focus on ideas comes at the expense of material factors, like military power or economics. Others argue its internal diversity and lack of consensus on epistemology and methodology make it difficult to define or apply consistently. Constructivism shifts our attention to the social dimensions of international relations-- how identities are formed, how norms evolve, and how both shape the behaviour of global actors.

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Part 2: Postcolonialism theory quiz

Timing: 10 minutes

Now watch the animation about Postcolonialism in International Relations, then work through the set of flashcards, in each case choosing the one that best reflects the postcolonial perspective.

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Transcript: Video 6 Postcolonialism in International Relations

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Postcolonial international relations theory is a critical approach that challenges the dominant Western-centric frame for understanding global politics. It draws on pan-Africanism, cultural theory, and the anti-colonial movement, and emphasises how colonial history and imperial power structures continue to shape the international order today.

For postcolonial theorists, the modern international order, including state sovereignty, borders, and global institutions, was constructed through colonialism and imperialism. These foundations continue to marginalise newly independent states and reinforce power balances between the Global North and the Global South.

Postcolonial IR challenges the assumption that Global politics are neutral or universal. It criticises realism and liberalism for their focus on Western experiences, such as the Treaty of Westphalia, the Enlightenment, and the Cold War. For postcolonial theorists, global politics remained deeply influenced by colonial legacies. They therefore call for a fundamental change in how we understand sovereignty, development, conflict, and cooperation on a global scale.

They criticise the depiction of the Global South as backward, uncivilised, and in need of Western intervention. They argue that these narratives justify continued control, which ultimately inflicts different forms of violence on oppressed and marginalised people.

Contemporary postcolonial IR scholars, such as Siba Grovogui, L. H. M. Ling, and Naeem Inayatullah highlight how cultural differences shape interactions. Their work critiques how Western politics and philosophies shape the international order and even IR scholarship itself. They seek to incorporate a wider range of groups' ideas and perspectives into IR theorising.

Postcolonial IR has been criticised for presenting a static concept of colonialism and the relationship between the West and the Global South, and for engaging less with traditional IR issues, such as diplomacy and state behavior. Postcolonial international relations theory challenges mainstream IR theories, like realism and liberalism, by examining how colonial histories, race, culture, and power dynamics shape global politics.

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Part 3: Comparing constructivism and postcolonialism

Timing: 10 minutes

As you have learned over this short course so far, it can be difficult to define and apply a theoretical position based only on a true/false simplification. One way in which to achieve a more nuanced understanding of IR theories is to take an explicitly comparative approach to understand how they approach their topic of study.

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In this section, you have learned about constructivism and postcolonialism. First, you learned how constructivist approaches see the international system as socially constructed rather than determined solely by material forces. In this world view, identities are constructed through social interaction with others, and these identities go on to shape state behaviour, including what becomes generally accepted behaviour.

You also learned about postcolonial IR theory, which emerged as scholars from the Global South began to challenge western-centric theories about international relations. This worldview emphasises the ways in which today’s international order continues to be shaped by colonial history and residual imperial power structures. You will also note how postcolonial theorists have been influenced by other schools of thought, including Marxism (which you met in Section 2) and feminism (which you will meet in Section 4).