Theory in Action: Constructivism

Theories of international relations simplify the complex happenings of world politics. In this video, we talk shop with Caleb Gallemore of Ohio State University about constructivism, aliens, breaking the rules, and The Matrix.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• international
• relations
• ir
• world
• politics
• constructivism
• soomo
• publishing
• teaching
• educational
• human
• caleb
• gallemore
• ohio
• state
• university
• osu

[culturalhonesty]

@Shnufkin don't worry, i expect the zombies to get upset ;)

[Shnufkin]

@culturalhonesty shut uuuuuuup

[culturalhonesty]

the Soviet Unions KGB did the EXACT SAME THING to the American left, you can find videos of KGB agents explaining how they subverted western civilization into hating America, hating the west, hating white people, hating christianity, & hating heterosexuality. They called it DEMORALIZATION, and they were OVERLY successful, turn on your TV, radio if you think the west hasnt been completely demoralized

[jjccccc]

cuckcoo

[86Legacy]

@BoredDictator I think you are missing the point. He was not saying that the USSR fell with the wall, but rather that it was a start in a long process of the USSR unraveling. I took what he said as symbolic first step in the fall of the USSR to outside world. In reality the soviet union was already far closer to collapse then rest of the world thought.

[BoredDictator]

Caleb does a GREAT job explaining the concept of constructivism (yes, a theory of IR, just one still going through growing pains), but he does prove his young age by getting his "end of the USSR" analogy wrong. The wall he refers to was the divide between East and West Germany, not the USSR, which fell in November 1989--yes, the guards did refuse to shoot. The USSR, however, collapsed two years later in late 1991. History is a lot easier when you were around to watch it happen. :)

[MoeyShmoey1993]

Constructivism is a relevant theory in international relations because the idea of how we perceive our world influences decision making of leaders of states. Other theories focus on how states can co-operate or maximise their gain, but it is never really mentioned that traditions and beliefs could be equally important in understanding why a states made a certain choice. This is just for people who are confused by how this might link into international relations.

[F8LAMB]

"Constructivism does not claim to offer a global or worldwide version of IR as do the 'images' - the theories - we have identified in the precious chapters. What it offers instead is an approach to interpretive understanding ... " Viotti & Kauppi. Soc. constructivism wants to explain/understand and uses some 'thinkingideas' from poststructuralism/postmodernis­m, but it denies te objective world. I dont think soc constr. is a theory, it doesnt say anything on hów, why states act, what is the best

[rastaxp]

I would say constructivism is a supplement to other theories.

[aleksismil]

It is a theory in IR and therefore it is applicable in many ways as many others. Or maybe my professor and all the writers I read so far are wrong and you are the only one who is right!