International Relations in the Construction of the World

Author: (USA) Kubakova/Oluf/Ovitt, edited by Xiao Feng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This book is one of the representative works of the American Constructivist School of International Relations pioneered by Professor Nicholas Oluf. It develops an alternative method to understand international relations as "social" relationships. Mainstream theorists and their postmodernist critics exclude humans from the scope of thought. Constructivism, however, places human beings, their behavior, and their social arrangements at the most important position. The book points out that constructivism is now recognized as one of the most significant breakthroughs in recent advances in international relations theory. Many theoretical writings in the social sciences appear overly obscure and filled with esoteric terminology, making it difficult for those outside the academic circle to grasp their meaning, and even more so for practitioners and students. This book is different. Its style is clear and accessible, while also demonstrating how to apply this new approach to study major issues of our time, such as national identity, gender and labor equality, and internet governance.