Realist Constructivism
Rethinking International Relations Theory

Argues for a different approach to theories of international relations, focussing on relationship between realism and constructivism.

J. Samuel Barkin (Author)

9780521121811, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 March 2010

202 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1 cm, 0.34 kg

'As the first major work to examine the realist-constructivist nexus in detail, Realist Constructivism is a must-read for IR scholars and students. Barkin's masterful synthesis of realism and constructivism delineates fresh analytical terrain and offers new insights about international politics. Comprehensive in both vision and scope, Realist Constructivism is a ground-breaking book and a major contribution to international relations theory.' Jennifer Sterling-Folker, University of Connecticut

Realism and constructivism, two key contemporary theoretical approaches to the study of international relations, are commonly taught as mutually exclusive ways of understanding the subject. Realist Constructivism explores the common ground between the two, and demonstrates that, rather than being in simple opposition, they have areas of both tension and overlap. There is indeed space to engage in a realist constructivism. But at the same time, there are important distinctions between them, and there remains a need for a constructivism that is not realist, and a realism that is not constructivist. Samuel Barkin argues more broadly for a different way of thinking about theories of international relations, that focuses on the corresponding elements within various approaches rather than on a small set of mutually exclusive paradigms. Realist Constructivism provides an interesting new way for scholars and students to think about international relations theory.

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Materialism
4. The logic of the social
5. The public interest
6. The constraints of the social
7. Agency
8. The limits of realism
9. The limits of constructivism
10. Constructivism and realism
References.

Subject Areas: International institutions [JPSN], International relations [JPS], Politics & government [JP], Philosophy [HP]