Contemporary Japanese Diplomacy

Summary Paper “Constructivism and International Relations in Asia” by David

Leheny

Constructivism arose in international relations theory as a challenger to rationalist

models of political action, especially liberalism and realism. Rather than assuming that interest
flow naturally or directly from market structure or political institution, constructivism generally
implies that these structures and institutions are themselves the product of human action and
endowed with social meaning that people give to them.
Constructivism Theoretical Framework

Beliefs, Ideas
(How people come to believe, Influence Sources
what they believe, how they think Religious text, educational curricula,
work of activist and officials, television
about things like justice, rights,
programs, news media can be factors
accountability, progress, fairness,
which influenced people beliefs.
and responsibility).

State Behavior

What people believe about

goodness of their own nations, the
State action in International Relation
clarity of their own histories, or the
validity of religion can affect
people’s behavior, as well as
states, which might demand for
power or for wealth.

Constructivism in International Relations Theory

Realism
State security is the crucial
issue, particularly
emphasizing a state’s
strength relative to other
state; patterns of war and
peace, alliance and enmity.
Realist might see the world
as a billiard table, with
individual countries
Liberalism Constructivism
The key question might The key point is social
concern economic interest, actors (for example; policy
how they play in domestic makers, journalist,
politics depending on observers, NGO’s)
whether they get benefit from behaviour, based on social
trade and investment or hurt issues and interaction
by it. (debates over wartime
history, ethnic tensions, or
environmental protection)
lead to particular action (for
example rules making).
Liberal might see the world Constructivism see this
as soccer championship, world as social system, on
which the winners from which rules, ordering
national contest will principles. And legitimate
 bumping up against one affecting subsequent local practice are constructed by
another matches actors and their interaction.

Challenges and Problems

Constructivist were often talking with scholars in the humanities, cultural history, or
anthropology. To most constructivists, the work of activist networks in spreading norms had
not in fact yielded a world free form racism, violence, but the existence of these norms had
forced stated that intended to commit these abuse or deny it. Constructivism can call attention
not to the determined outcomes of political factors but how the interpretive frames that shape
political outcomes are constructed.

Constructing Asian International Relations

Countries Region Constructing Pattern in International Relations
Japan Legacy of “antimilitarism” in post war Japan was the consequence
of consensual norms in Japan’s democratic legislative system.
China Socialization of research and studies within international institutions
have played an important role in the Chinese foreign policy building.
South Asia and Central Development and management of ethnic conflict in Pakistan, India,
Asia countries Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka suggested the constructions of India’s
behaviour and management on shaping nuclear strategy.
ASEAN countries ASEAN countries starting to accept the global norms particularly in
human right issues or fair and equitable treatment in their
international relations.

Constructivism has helped to shape international relations theory and to carve out
spaces to consider what Asia might have for the rest of the world. Constructivism scholars are
committed to investigating political phenomena, casual chains, and religious or intellectual
frames that seem distinctive to the region should remember that Asia is socially constructed: a
conceptual category to which people attach contested meanings.

Further Discussion
1. In the constructivism view, is it possible if a general norm can lead to a general
behaviour of the state in international relations?
2. How the constructivist draw a causal correlation between beliefs or norms and state
behaviour?