Examples Of Constructivism In International Relations

In this paper, I have attempted to present an understanding of Pakistan-India conflict by using constructivism theory of international relations. There are many reasons other than strategic reason causing this conflict like differences in ideologies, norms and beliefs. There are also cultural differences between these two nations.

2. Pakistan-India Conflict an overview

South Asia is considered a region of great importance in the world.
British India was partitioned into two independent states i.e. Pakistan and India in 1947.
The idea behind the creation of Pakistan is to have a home for the Muslims of South Asia. As Pakistan is an Islamic country by the constitution and in contrast India is a secular country. Paksitan and India were founded

Constructivists reject such a one-sided material focus. They argue that the most important aspect of international relations is social, not material.

Constructivists have demonstrated that ‘ideas matter’ in international relations. They have shown that culture and identity help define the interests and constitute the actors in IR. All students of IR should be familiar with the important debates raised by constructivists, about basic social theory and about the different ways in which ideas can matter in international relations.

Key Points

The focus of social constructivism is on human awareness or consciousness and its place in world affairs. The international system is constituted by ideas, not by material forces. Social theory is the more general theory about the social world. In social theory, constructivists emphasize the social construction of reality. The social world is not a given. The social world is a world of human consciousness: of thoughts and beliefs, of ideas and concepts, of languages and discourses. Four major types of ideas are: ideologies; normative beliefs; cause–effect beliefs; and policy prescriptions. Constructivist Alexander Wendt rejects the neorealist position of anarchy necessarily leading to self-help. That cannot be decided a priori; it depends on the interaction between states. In these processes of interaction the identities and interests of

Martha Finnemore argues that identities and interests are defined by international forces, that is, by the norms of behaviour embedded in international society. Peter Katzenstein argues that the internal make-up of stats affects their international behaviour. The approach is employed to explain the shift in Japanese foreign policy from militaristic to pacifist.
Ted Hopf focuses on the domestic foundation of identity in a study of Soviet and Russian foreign policy. The claim is that the identities of key decision-makers go a long way in explaining foreign policy.

As examining the Indo-Pakistani conflict through rationalist lenses should not be radically denied, this thesis will test conventional constructivism as a method in studying Pakistan 's situation.

4. Post-Colonialism

I will explain the basic assumptions of Post-Colonialism, its usefulness and its weaknesses. Its operative characteristics.

5. Why Constructivism is more relevant to analyze Pakistan-India conflict

I will present an arguments in this section why constructivism is relevant in my case. And I might be used post-colonialism to explain this case.

6. Conclusion

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