One is most surprised to read the piece of Alexander Wendt "Four Sociologies of International Politics", because it produces a critique of the structural theory of Waltz that seems so plausible and realistic in its assumptions and premises. One believes that the author has provided a new lens to look at the structural analysis of the international system, and evinced that the logic of anarchy is not the only way to perceive the international arena. He regards the materialist and individualistic views of Waltz as the driving factors towards his analysis of the international system. One thinks that this characterization of Waltz certainly elucidates the categories in which his arguments can be thought and the Wendt proposal to bring idealist and holistic perspectives into the analysis of international structure renders a new broad spectrum for understanding the state behavior among themselves and the perceptions and interests that they formulate in relation to one another.
Another aspect of the piece that brings a new dimension to one’s thinking is the separation of the idealist approach to structural analysis and the idealist approach to international politics. Wendt argues that the former is not a normative criterion of how the structure of international politics should be, rather it presents that such beliefs and perceptions states have for each other. Moreover, the former is socially constructed and Wendt suggests that this constitution and formation of beliefs and perception in states' behavior is not easily reformable and requires a great deal of negotiations between states to change their policies towards each other. One believes that Wendt such explanation of idealist approach brings the reader to think of the significance of ideas into the international politics and regards the importance of interactions between states on the macro-level essential to carry out national interests for states.
Lastly, the author’s self-reflexivity is worth mentioning. He sounded cognizant of the advantages and limitations of his theory, and one believes that his contribution in developing the four sociologies provide a new direction of debate about international politics in the academic scholarship of IR.
Good post and I appreciate that you recognize how self-reflective his piece is. Not only does he present a good idea, but he does so in a modest and appropriate way.
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