Constructivism & Classical Liberalism

Constructivism  Society of states rather than atomistic units  Norms, ideas, identities, rhetoric matter  Constitutive and regulatory rules -Constitutive rules: the underlying rules of the system -Regulative rules: regulate interaction

Martha Finnemore  Realist and liberal theories do not provide a good explanation of humanitarian intervention  Norms shape states’ interest and behavior

Constructivist Agenda  Examine the role of specific ideas and norms ->Anti-apartheid, anti-slavery, human rights, banning of land mines, humanitarian intervention  The role of networks in spreading norms, policies, ideas  The role of identities in shaping state behavior  The role of perception and rhetorical action

Critique  Wishful thinking, discount potential for conflict  Ideas and norms are trumped over by power and interests  Difficult to test/verify validity of theory

Classical Liberalism  Domestic politics and institutions matter  Liberal principles –Market and private property economy –State sovereignty and self-determination –Individual rights: free press, free speech; right to assembly; religious toleration; –Constitutional and representative government –Checks and balances

Conditions for Liberal Peace  Immanuel Kant (Perpetual Peace, 1795) –Liberal republican government –A pacific union/federation »Mutual non-aggression pact »Role of reason »Recognition of rights of other liberal states –Cosmopolitan law of universal hospitality »Right of access

Liberal States and Imperialism  Joseph Schumpeter (Sociology of Imperialism, 1919): –Democracy and trade result in pacifism  Niccolo Machiavelli (XVc. Florence) –Republics best suited for imperial expansion  Lenin (Imperialism, the Latest Stage of Capitalism, 1974) –Capitalism inevitably leads to imperialism

Democratic Peace Theory  Democracies do not fight wars with each other –Role of publics –Checks and balances –Appreciate rights of non-republics –Role of trade and transnational constituencies?

Evidence of Democratic Peace Liberal Regimes and the Pacific Union th c

Critique of Liberalism  Idealist and Utopian  Public opinion in democracies often supportive of wars  Relation between democracy and peace spurious (explained by a third factor such as balance of power)  Peace encourages democracy rather than vice versa.