Session 17: Ideas, not by Gul Ahmed

 Structural Idealism, in Alexander Wendt’s book ‘Social Theory of International Politics’ incorporates two tenets of constructivism which emphasize the role of ideas over material forces: 1) structures of human associations are determined primarily by shared ideas rather than material forces, and identities and interests of purposive actors shaped by ideas rather than given by nature. The former approach is referred to as the idealist approach-ideas are prioritized over material forces, and the latter as the structuralist approach-interests of actors are shaped by ideas. Wendt argues that constructivism is not a theory of IR, rather it encourages us to study how actors are socially constructed.

Wendt’s theory focuses on the importance of shared ideas in shaping a state behavior and emphasizes on collective action rather than individualism and states operating in isolation as unitary actors. Wendt is critical of the notion that states are operating in a self-help system, instead he is of the opinion that the ideas and beliefs states have of each other are the determining factors of international politics and these ideas are the product of social relations instead of material forces.He is critical of both realist and liberalist approach to theorizing IR as both focus on materialistic and individualistic motives for state behavior. Similarly, Helen Milner, in“ The Assumption of Anarchy in International Relations Theory” has emphasized on the idea of strategic interdependence among various states and stresses that it is a key structural feature of the international system. Interdependence implies that actors are linked. They are sovereign but their actions and attainment of goals are conditioned by the behavior of other actors and their expectations and perceptions about this. It focuses on communication and information sharing and how that shapes perception of actors which would impact a state behavior. This view of shared knowledge and ideas determining state behavior is integral to understanding IR.

Social constructivism provides another dimension to IR theorizing and is persistent upon defining state's actions as being nurtured instead of being innate. It is a definite break from both realists and liberal schools of thought which blame the individual personality or the state for their behavior, violence and structuring of the system, rather it focuses on how state relations are socially constructed and contingent upon shared knowledge and ideas. The notion of shared ideas is indeed an interesting facet to study.