Professional Documents
Culture Documents
a new observed fact wherein the challenge is labelling what it is, introducing a new idea with a certain
level of acceptance
Origins
Late 19th century, along with the emergence of the field of sociology –
Proponents: Durkheim – analysed a social fact, noted for his study about suicide, the value of
individualism in a highly civilized cities, and because of this high level of individualism, people
tend to commit suicide, the lower the social value, the higher the suicide rate. Weber –
protestant ethics, what is the cause of the rise of capitalism, the countries get richer when they
believe more on this protestant ethics
1950s and 60s – Talcott Parsons introduced “political culture” in PS
1980s- re-entry of explanations revolving around ideas, norms and culture
Late 80s – End of Cold War, the term “constructivism” was introduced – was considered as a
behaviour, not just a part of culturalism
Late 20th century to turn of the millennium – marked by thriving variety in constructivism, used
in analysing different occurrences such as the 9/11.
Core Features
Varieties of Constructivism
Modern Constructivism – how much the world is socially constructed is something we can
document; offers a different narrative (construct) of an already scientifically analysed
phenomenon. There is an attempt to relate a certain event to a given scientific explanation,
finds and alternative event then relates it in a scientifically proven event and what would it
cause. I.e., counterfactuals: if this event never happened, would this event occur? If you remove
one explanatory variable, would this variable would take place?
Post-Modern Constructivism (Interpretive) – connects substantive views of social construction
to an interpretivist epistemology; science itself is a clash among interpretative agendas. Involves
the usage of all your knowledge, relies on observable facts.
Pp.90-91, structure of the four varieties of constructivism, Marsh and Stoker
Exercise:
How will different approaches explain the conflictual nature of international politics?
Behavioralist’s explanation: It was the US response to the 9/11 attacks, any aggrieved state is
likely react in the same manner. (is this measurable?)
Institutionalist’s explanation: This US is a strong state/ a superpower that acts as the world
police.
Rational Choice theorists’s explanation: The US was after the oil reserves in Iraq.
Constructivists’s explanation: The US declared war against terror, it was a pre-emptive attack.