Chapter 4 Theories of International Relations Economic Structuralism

Chapter 4 Theories of International Relations: Economic Structuralism, Constructivism, and Feminism

Learning Objectives 1. Identify the major assumptions of economic structuralist, constructivist, and feminist approaches. 2. Distinguish the variants within each approach. 3. Understand how these approaches relate to one another and to realism and liberalism. Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 2

Learning Objectives 4. Summarize the major critiques of each approach. 5. Identify ways in which each approach can be linked to policy problems. 6. Articulate and defend an argument concerning the relative merits of the different approaches. Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 3

Economic Structuralism § Critique of liberal capitalism based in Marxist theory § Economics is a motivation in politics and a source of power § Wealth distribution is unequal § Leads to poverty and political inequality Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 4

Bolivian President Evo Morales, accompanied by military forces, announces that the government is taking over the country’s largest natural gas field. Does government ownership promise that citizens will benefit from the exploitation of natural resources? Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 5

Economic Structuralism § Assumptions: § Economics is the driving motivation behind political activity (economic determinism) § Economics drives political behavior and determines political outcomes § Wealth converts into other resources (territory, bombs, or politicians) Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 6

Economic Structuralism § Key actors are classes § Owners of capital (bourgeoisie) and workers (proletariat) § Class identity > national identity § Workers deceived about interests § Religion § Nationalism Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 7

Economic Structuralism § Propositions § Surplus Value § Difference in value of raw material and final product § Workers are responsible for difference § Rich get richer and poor are left behind § Owners have structural power in that they control the means by which labor is added to materials Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 8

Economic Structuralism § Surplus Value and International Politics § Economic structuralists look at the interests and actions of different economic classes § Drive to economic expansion by the owners of capital drives international politics § Colonialism stemmed from desire to open foreign market Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 9

Distribution of Value of an Apple i. Pad Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 10

Economic Structuralism § War and Peace § Lenin argued capitalism leads to war § Liberal institutionalism believes that states will collaborate rather than fight each other § Economic structuralism sees collaboration as exploitation of the poor Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 11

Chinese workers make Nike shoes at a factory in Guangdong province. When labor is added to material, the product is worth more than the material. How is this increased value divided between those who do the work and those who own the factory? Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 12

Constructivism § Focuses on how ideas influence international politics § Not a materialist theory § Role of ideas in international politics § Focuses on purpose, not power Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 13

Constructivism § Interests are the actors’ primary goals § Need to examine where interests come from § Interests are socially constructed Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 14

Missiles on Parade at Army Day in Tehran, Iran, April 2012. How dangerous are they? Constructivists stress that ideas of friendship and enmity are as important as weapons themselves in creating security and insecurity. Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 15

Should Iran Get Nuclear Weapons? May 2012 Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 16

Constructivism § Identities § Who actors are and their perceived roles § Constructivism examines how identities change § If identities change, so will interests and behavior § Constructivists investigate the extent to which different states might develop shared identities Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 17

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 18

Constructivism § Norms § Shared expectations of behavior § Shape how actors define their interests Eleanor Roosevelt, who campaigned for the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To what extent do shared norms such as human rights influence the goals that states and other actors pursue? Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 19

Constructivism § Implications of Constructivist Theory § Makes few predictions about international politics § Only emphasizes that ideas matter, not how, when or which ideas matter § Norm change can increase the likelihood of cooperation Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 20

Feminist International Relations Theory § Feminist theory increasingly influential § Important in issue-oriented subfields § Influences the practice of international politics § Not a unified, comprehensive theory; provides a lens to examine international relations § Gendered ideas shape our behavior § Agenda to improve status of women Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 21

Feminist International Relations Theory § Feminist Empiricism § Women ‘invisible’ in international politics § Focus on male-dominated activities § Neglects how international politics affects women § In war § As breadwinners Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 22

Feminist International Relations Theory § Feminist Standpoint Theory § Mainstream theories rely on gendered assumptions § Equate “masculine” behavior with human nature § Ignores “feminine” traits § Divide life into “private” women’s sphere (the household) and “public” men’s sphere (the state) Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 23

Regional literacy rates for adults (15+) 2005– 2010 Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 24

Women fleeing a rebel advance in Congo. Feminist scholarship points out that the role of women in war is often ignored by casualty figures that focus only on combatants, who historically have been overwhelmingly male. What costs do women pay as they are caught on the battlefield or left behind to fend for themselves and their children? Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 25

Feminist International Relations Theory § Feminist Postmodernism § All inquiry is biased by the questions asked, the assumptions made, and the way evidence is interpreted § Claims about truth are socially constructed Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 26

Turkish Women's Attitudes Toward Head Coverings Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 27

Feminist International Relations Theory § Feminist Influence § The pivotal role of women has come to be accepted in international politics § Feminist approaches are not just about women Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 28

Afghan women at a Persian New Year celebration. Many Western advocates find that laws requiring women to cover their entire bodies are discriminatory. Postmodern feminists ask whether it is not equally oppressive for Western advocates to force their own standards on women in other societies. Are universal notions of rights themselves an element of oppression? Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. 29