Constructivism in International Relations
The Politics of Reality

Zehfuss critiques constructivist theories of international relations, arguing that they stop us from acting responsibly.

Maja Zehfuss (Author)

9780521815444, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 July 2002

312 pages
23.7 x 15.9 x 2.4 cm, 0.616 kg

'… this book constitutes a good attempt to improve the dialogue between the two approaches in International Relations.' International Affairs

Maja Zehfuss' book offers a fundamental critique of constructivism, focusing on the work of Wendt, Onuf and Kratochwil. Using Germany's shift towards participation in international military operations as an illustration, she demonstrates why each version of constructivism fails in its own project and comes apart on the basis of its own assumptions. Inspired by Derridean thought, this book highlights the political consequences of constructivist representations of reality. Each critique concludes that constructivist notions of key concepts are impossible, and that this is not merely a question of theoretical inconsistency, but of politics. The book is premised on the notion that the 'empirical' and the 'theoretical' are less separate than is acknowledged in international relations, and must be read as intertwined. Zehfuss examines the scholars' role in international relations, worrying that, by looking to constructivism as the future, they will be severely curtailing their ability to act responsibly in this area.

Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. Identity change? Wendt's constructivism and German military involvement abroad
3. Intersubjectivity and the normative: Kratochwil's constructivism and German military involvement abroad
4. Words and world: Onuf's constructivism and German military involvement abroad
5. The politics of 'reality': Derrida's subversions, constructivism and German military involvement abroad
6. The politics of constructivism
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS]