If these beliefs and ideas change, the social relationship can change to one of friendship. Scholars have employed ANT in order to disrupt traditional world political binaries (civilised/barbarian, democratic/autocratic, etc. Therefore, constructivists provide alternative insights into the inter-subjective bases of international relations. Debrix, Franois, ed. and weaknesses of constructivist approaches. The extensive history of economic and military coopera-tion among the advanced industrial powers showed that capitalism did It only forces states to self-help if they conform to neorealist assumptions about states as seeing security as a competitive, relative concept, where the gain of security for any one state means the loss of security for another. It also allows Bhutan to increase its international visibility, which is advantageous when tensions run high with and among its neighbours. Culture impacts societys view and interpretation of security threats (Behravesh, 2011). Constructivism is a social Theory that centers on social life and social change. Constructivism theory discusses the issue of anarchy in the international system, At a simple conceptual level, Alexander Wendt claimed that the realist conception of anarchy does not explain why conflict occurs between states enough. [66], Advocates of the "practice turn" take inspiration from work in neuroscience, as well as that of social theorists such as Pierre Bourdieu, that stresses the significance of habit and practices in psychological and social life - essentially calling for greater attention and sensitivity towards the 'every day' and 'taken for granted' activities of international politics[67][68] Some scholars have adopted the related sociological approach known as Actor-Network Theory (ANT), which extends the early focus of the Practice Turn on the work of Pierre Bourdieu towards that of Bruno Latour and others. Placing an emphasis on the social construct, Wendt opens doors to a better theoretical understanding of international relations. For the simplest explanation of constructivism, see Snyder 2004, which provides brief summaries of realism, liberalism, and constructivism and compares and contrasts them for the reader. ", Abram Chayes and Antonia Handler Chayes (1994). This view refers to the nature of reality and the nature of knowledge that are also called ontology and epistemology in research language. [1], After establishing that norms mattered in international politics, later veins of constructivism focused on explaining the circumstances under which some norms mattered and others did not. Any subject. For instance, Wendt asserts that norms, beliefs, and ideologies are the primary cause of international relations. This is a contentious issue within segments of the IR community as some constructivists challenge Wendt on some of these assumptions (see, for example, exchanges in Review of International Studies, vol. Download your free copy here. The main thing is how anarchy is understood, and Wendt argues that "Anarchy is what states make of it.". The basics of constructivism Constructivism sees the world, and what we can know about the world, as socially constructed. However, it posits that the interests do not necessary have to be materialistic and may emanate from cultural values. "The Logic of Appropriateness". A norm only becomes an expected behaviour when a critical mass of relevant state actors adopt it and internalise it in their own practices. Edited volume particularly useful for its section Constructivism in Context. Contains chapters by Onuf (a co-editor), Kublkov on E.H. Carr, and Harry D. Gould on the agent-structure debate (see Wendt 1987, cited under Alexander Wendt). [citation needed] Following up on Wendt, Martha Finnemore offered the first "sustained, systematic empirical argument in support of the constructivist claim that international normative structures matter in world politics" in her 1996 book National Interests in International Society. [6], Central to constructivism are the notions that ideas matter, and that agents are socially constructed (rather than given). of the work written by professional essay writers. It also reinforced the rules for wearing a national dress the gho for men and the kira for women. Claims that constructivism is about the social construction of knowledge and the construction of social reality and that the theory requires an intersubjective theory of action. The concept has become more prominent over the past three decades in part because of recent changes in international relations and foreign policy analysis theory (the constructivist and relational turn) and long-term shifts in the social structure of international relations, that is, decolonization, international criminal and humanitarian law . The manuscript means that anarchy can be interpreted differently depending on the various constructs of the social system. To date, Bhutan and India perceive each other as friends whereas Bhutan has no official relations with China. [39], Martha Finnemore and Kathryn Sikkink distinguish between three types of norms:[40]. [14], Constructivism primarily seeks to demonstrate how core aspects of international relations are, contrary to the assumptions of neorealism and neoliberalism, socially constructed. This stance differs considerably from that of realists, who argue that the anarchic structure of the international system determines the behaviour of states. The usage of the word independent refers directly to Bhutans national interest the preservation of its national sovereignty. "We have never been civilized: Torture and the Materiality of World Political Binaries,", E. Cudworth and S. Hobden (2013). This is my summaries from International Relation Theory. These identities represent these states understanding of who they are. Constructivism sees the world, and what we can know about the world, as socially constructed. [4] Neorealist conclusions, as such, depend entirely on unspoken and unquestioned assumptions about the way in which the meaning of social institutions are constructed by actors. The Constructivism theory tries to draw people's attention realism and liberalism, since the former only believes in human self-interests, while the latter only offers ideas of peace. Constructivists overlook the negative side of human nature, or the idea that the majority of human beings break laws. Since the constructivism theory focuses more on non-material aspects of social interactions, it is necessary for one to gain insight into these factors. Neorealists are fundamentally causal structuralists, in that they hold that the majority of important content to international politics is explained by the structure of the international system, a position first advanced in Kenneth Waltz's Man, the State, and War and fully elucidated in his core text of neorealism, Theory of International Politics. Adler focuses on how it fits into the wider IR theoretical context, and Guzzini deconstructs constructivism for the reader and attempts to build it back up in an instructive way. Bhutan is a Buddhist kingdom located in the Himalayas. Bhutans location is geographically sensitive as the country serves as a buffer state between these major powers, which perceive each other as rivals rather than friends. This failure can be linked to some of their core tenets, such as the conviction that states are self-interested actors who compete for power and the unequal power distribution among states which defines the balance of power between them. Martha Finnemore has been influential in examining the way in which international organizations are involved in these processes of the social construction of actor's perceptions of their interests. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 2003. Politics of Extraction: Theories and New Concepts for Crit Popular Culture and International Relations. As mentioned earlier in the chapter, a norm needs to go through a lifecycle before it becomes established. Constructivism. In The Oxford Handbook of International Relations. Constructivists argue that agency and structure are mutually constituted, which implies that structures influence agency and that agency influences structures. Doing so, constructivists offer alternative explanations and insights for events occurring in the social world. Of these, the Ngalongs and the Sharchhops are Buddhists, while the Lhotshampas are mostly Hindus who speak the Nepali language. The theory's relatively recent arrival on the scene makes a constructivist canon somewhat harder to identify and makes the inclusion or exclusion of particular sources in this article a potentially much greater source of contention than in the articles on realism and liberalism. We can see, for instance, that these norms and practices are regulated to date. This paper's argument begins by assuming that . 1 2. introduction "the focus of social constructivism is on human awareness or consciousness and its place in world affairs. Regardless of the many positive attributes, the constructivism theory brings to international relations; it also invites criticism as it does not provide a full account of social interactions. This also entails that reality is always under construction, which opens the prospect for change. For instance, constructivists argue that states have diverse identities and interests (Hoyoon, 2019). Fierke and Jrgensen 2001 focuses on the second wave of constructivist scholars and those scholars takes on earlier constructivist scholarship. It stresses that ideational factors such as dialogue and exchange of ideas are more result-oriented in socio-political life than material factors. Harry D. Gould, 'Constructivist International Relations Theory and the Semantics of Performative Language', in Franois Debrix (ed. The earliest constructivist works focused on establishing that norms mattered in international politics. Encyclopedia of Science Education pp 16Cite as. social constructivism and foreign policy emphasis is placed on the relationship between ir theory An introduction to International Relations, 3rd edition (2005) Emanuel Adler, "Seizing the Middle Ground: constructivism in World Politics", European Journal of International Relations (1997) pp. Constructivists discuss questions of identity and belief. Every state has its laws and codes of conduct that its actors ought to conform to. Constructivism explores the role of ideas, images, symbols, norms, culture and discourse on social life. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves. Furthermore, the primary goal for all states or human beings is to survive. People can do whatever it takes to survive uncomfortable or unsafe situations (Hoyoon, 2019). [22] Because such features of behavior are not explained by anarchy, and require instead the incorporation of evidence about the interests and identities held by key actors, neorealism's focus on the material structure of the system (anarchy) is misplaced. [63], A growing number of constructivists contend that current theories pay inadequate attention to the role of habitual and unreflective behavior in world politics,[64] the centrality of relations and processes in constructing world politics,[65] or both. Klotz and Lynch 2007 provides an extraordinarily useful volume about doing research using constructivist theory, which anyone using constructivism as the basis for their research should read. He states that five hundred nuclear weapons from Britain are less threatening to America than five ammunitions from North Korea. Constructivism: Critiques. Description. All Rights Reserved | Site by Rootsy. However, constructivists assert that these behaviors (norms) only become necessary when the more significant number of actors deem them acceptable. Its focus on social factors and importance of ideas allows it to address problems that are not even in the scope of realism. This identity is based on Bhutans development philosophy, Gross National Happiness (GNH), which criticises the well-known Gross Domestic Product (GDP) approach for being solely focused on the economy of a state. Therefore, the section on the English School is contained in the International Relations Theory article, and more extensively in the International Society article. [3] There is yet another strong strand of critical constructivism that takes conventional constructivists to task for systematically downplaying or omitting class factors. This policy demanded the observance of a code of conduct known as Driglam Namzhag. They have also highlighted the importance of norm entrepreneurs in advocating and spreading certain norms. 508527, David M. McCourt (2016). Sarina Theys is a Contributing Lecturer in the Politics Department of Newcastle University, UK. For example, an agreement on the border dispute between China and Bhutan could change how both countries perceive each other. This issue might explain why Germany, despite being a great power with a leading global economy, did not become a military power in the second half of the twentieth century. Jonathan Osborne . To date there remains an ongoing border dispute between Bhutan and China and there have been reports that the Chinese army has made several incursions into Bhutan. Constructivism is a structural theory of the international system which is based on the following main principles: 1. As a criticism of neorealism and neoliberalism (which were the dominant strands of IR theory during the 1980s), constructivism tended to be lumped in with all approaches that criticized the so-called "neo-neo" debate. That means that actors follow internalized prescriptions of what is socially defined as normal, true, right, or good, without, or in spite of calculation of consequences and expected utility. They show, for instance, that it is not only the distribution of material power, wealth and geographical conditions that can explain state behaviour but also ideas, identities and norms. In an important edited volume, The Culture of National Security,[50] constructivist scholarsincluding Elizabeth Kier, Jeffrey Legro, and Peter Katzenstein challenged many realist assumptions about the dynamics of international politics, particularly in the context of military affairs. In that series Kublkov, et al. [5][12] On the one hand, there are "conventional"[7][13] constructivist scholars such as Kathryn Sikkink, Peter Katzenstein, Elizabeth Kier, Martha Finnemore, and Alexander Wendt, who use widely accepted methodologies and epistemologies, and whose work has been widely accepted within the mainstream IR community and generated vibrant scholarly discussions among realists, liberals, and constructivists. Constructing International Relations: The Next Generation. They contend that as Wendt tries to incorporate non-material and material human factors in one theory, he moves further from finding a viable explanation. This is not an example Returning to Wendts example discussed above, this means that the social relation of enmity between the United States and North Korea represents the intersubjective structure (that is, the shared ideas and beliefs among both states), whereas the United States and North Korea are the actors who have the capacity (that is, agency) to change or reinforce the existing structure or social relationship of enmity. Constructivism focuses on the meanings . [6] In the study of national security, the emphasis is on the conditioning that culture and identity exert on security policies and related behaviors. This means that anarchy can be interpreted in different ways depending on the meaning that actors assign to it. Language, Agency, and Politics in a Constructed World. Contrary to conventional constructivists, they are not interested in the effect that this identity has. Thomas J. Biersteker and Cynthia Weber[51] applied constructivist approaches to understand the evolution of state sovereignty as a central theme in international relations, and works by Rodney Bruce Hall[52] and Daniel Philpott[53] (among others) developed constructivist theories of major transformations in the dynamics of international politics. Strengths of the Theory of Constructivism. Wendt further developed these ideas in his central work, Social Theory of International Politics (1999). Behravesh, M. (2011). This essay examines the constructivism theory and outlines its strengths and weaknesses in relation to international relations. Constructivism in International Relations Theory A challenger to the continuing dominance of neorealism and neoliberal institutionalism in the study of international relations in the United States, constructivism is regarded with a great deal of skepticism by mainstream . Regardless of constructivist or liberal theories of international relations, anarchy still prevails. Israeli parliament speaker quits, but political deadlock no closer to an end.2020. This regulation is, as explained earlier, important as the behaviour of a state and its citizens should comply with the norms that are associated with Bhutans national identity. International relations require various perspectives to comprehend the complexity of the interactions that take place in the international sphere. "International Norm Dynamics and Political Change". "Taking Preferences Seriously: A Liberal Theory of International Politics" in, Cornelia Beyer (2009). Part of the International Relations in a Constructed World series, a comprehensive and well-organized collection of volumes on constructivist theory from the publisher M. E. Sharpe. They are important to constructivists as they argue that identities constitute interests and actions. They believe that it is possible to explain the world in causal terms and are interested in discovering the relationships between actors, social norms, interests and identities. Both of these theories were largely discredited before the Cold War even ended. States derive their identities from individuals, cultures, and norms and thus view international anarchy to be interpreted differently by each state. support open access publishing. One has to analyze how the constructivism theorys history, to gain knowledge on how it came to be. He proposes that the combination of practice theory and relationalism both belong in, and are vital to, a new constructivist framework that will reopen constructivisms theoretical lenses. Provides a good, critical overview of the state of constructivism in the field. Secondly, neo-realists worry about the significance constructivists place on norms. Constructivism is often said to simply state the obvious that actions, interactions and perceptions shape reality. [1][25], In a response to constructivism, John Mearsheimer has argued that ideas and norms only matter on the margins, and that appeals by leaders to norms and morals often reflect self-interest.[26][27]. Weve got you covered. There are pros and cons to everything and constructivist learning theory is no exception. These social relationships represent the ideational structure that originated from the meaning given to the material structure. The small state is arguably more focused on its survival, whereas the large state is concerned with dominating global political, economic and military affairs. Notable constructivists in international relations, Alexander Wendt (1992). Skeptics contend that just like liberalism, constructivism only provides the positive aspects of human nature. "[3] This does not mean that constructivists believe that international politics is "ideas all the way down", but rather that international politics is characterized both by material factors and ideational factors. [6] Wendt refers to this form of constructivism as "thin" constructivism. amount, in any currency, is appreciated. Your current browser may not support copying via this button. The completion of this process entails that the behaviour of the Bhutanese citizens is circumscribed by these norms and practices. It seeks to explain causal and constitutive effects in international politics. critical . Identities are representations of an actors understanding of who they are, which in turn signals their interests. Although constructivism faces numerous contentions, it provides a new explanation on social interactions. After all, it was the actions of ordinary people that ensured the end of the Cold War, not those of states or international organisations. Therefore, this theory avers that the world is socially constructed. The discipline of International Relations benefits from constructivism as it addresses issues and concepts that are neglected by mainstream theories especially realism. Their central difference from neorealists is to see the structure of international politics in primarily ideational, rather than material, terms. [57] Wendt shares some key assumptions with leading realist and neorealist scholars, such as the existence of anarchy and the centrality of states in the international system. Alexander Wendt (1995) offers an excellent example that illustrates the social construction of reality when he explains that 500 British nuclear weapons are less threatening to the United States than five North Korean nuclear weapons. Both these theories only incorporate state activities and politics as the main drivers of international relations. Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs), Prospect Theory in International Relations. Therefore, the negative, power-hungry side of human nature would always overpower norms or cultural beliefs. Issues such as those discussed immediately above raise the third criticism about constructivism, that "a weak or at least a controversial epistemology has become the basis for a strong pedagogic policy" (Phillips 1995, p. 11)).The primary influence underpinning much of the theoretical commitments of constructivist pedagogy was a highly influential paper written by Posner et al. Yet hostility in discussions about the nature of Constructivism reflects precisely the weakness of Constructivism and constructivists within the various social worlds they inhabitacademies and policy-making circles, at both the state and international levels. (2020). Your donations allow us to invest in new open access titles and pay our Indeed, norms, identity, and ideas are key factors in constructivist theory. One World, Rival Theories. Foreign Policy 83.6 (2004): 5262. It is important to note, however, that the social relationships are subject to change depending on the ideas, beliefs and actions of Bhutan, India and China. [1][6][7] Constructivist analyses can only provide substantive explanations or predictions once the relevant actors and their interests have been identified, as well as the content of social structures. The belief that reality is socially constructed leads constructivists to place a greater role on norm development, identity, and ideational power than the other major theoretical paradigms. Using this example, Wendt tries to show that, idealistic rather than materialistic convictions control international relations (Wendt, 1992). Relations 100% (2) 20. . (2014). That is, with the emergence and success of private sectors as put forward by the Neoliberalism theory, the resultant wealth or income gets stagnated in few hands, with uneven wage distribution. Now that actors are not simply governed by the imperatives of a self-help system, their identities and interests become important in analysing how they behave. Conventional constructivists assume, for instance, that actors act according to their identity and that it is possible to predict when this identity becomes visible or not. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 1998. The Constructivism theory tries to draw peoples attention realism and liberalism, since the former only believes in human self-interests, while the latter only offers ideas of peace. For example, Bhutanese citizens are obliged to wear the national dress during national events and when they attend school or work. [10] Wendt's 1992 article "Anarchy is What States Make of It: the Social Construction of Power Politics" published in International Organization[4] laid the theoretical groundwork for challenging what he considered to be a flaw shared by both neorealists and neoliberal institutionalists, namely, a commitment to a (crude) form of materialism. This section delineates a few different varieties of overviews of constructivist IR theory. This has, over decades of diplomacy and advocacy, become an appropriate behaviour that the bulk of citizens expect their leaders to adhere to. Constructivism accounts for this issue by arguing that the social world is of our making (Onuf 1989). Correspondence to 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Our thoughts and actions literally construct international relations. Having trouble finding the perfect essay? Rules, law, and language lay at the core of the early theoretical Constructivist treatises, especially Nicholas Onuf's World of Our Making and Friedrich Kratochwil's Rules, Norms, and Decisions . Each placed rule-and norm-governed reasoning as fundamental to . These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. Part of the International Relations in a Constructed World series, a comprehensive and well-organized collection of volumes on constructivist theory from the publisher M. E. Sharpe. eds. Political psychologists similarly investigate divergent national self-conceptions as well as the individual . However, a rational person would have questions on the origin of these norms or beliefs and their validity. Sci Edu 80(1):5382, Phillips DC (1995) The good, the bad, and the ugly: the many faces of constructivism. https://www.ia-forum.org/Content/ViewInternal_Document.cfm?contenttype_id=0&ContentID=8773. Liberalism and realism fail to explain the significant role that norms play in human relations, which, in turn, lead to international economics and politics. Most constructivists, however, position themselves between these two more extreme ends of the spectrum. Psychoanalysis in Global Politics and International Relati Russian Revolutions and Civil War, 19171921, Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), The, Sinophone and Japanese International Relations Theory, Social Scientific Theories of Imperialism, Spatial Dependencies and International Mediation, Sub-Saharan Africa, Conflict Formations in, The Politics and Diplomacy of the First World War, the Twenty-First Century, Alliance Commitments in. Bhutan has also developed a distinctive national identity that differentiates it from its larger neighbours. "Realism and the Constructivist Challenge: Rejecting, Reconstructing, or Rereading,", Jeffrey Checkel (2004). The second phase, norm acceptance, required Bhutanese citizens to accept the Driglam Namzhag, including the national dress and Dzongkha as the national language. The material structural conditions are reflected in its population of approximately 745,000, a territory that amounts to 38,394 square kilometres, a weak economy and a very small military. There are three main ethnic groups: the Ngalongs, the Sharchhops and the Lhotshampas, who are of Nepali descent. (). [1][2][3] The most important ideational factors are those that are collectively held; these collectively held beliefs construct the interests and identities of actors. Influences structures and social change causal and constitutive effects in international politics in a world! To a better theoretical understanding of who they are the Himalayas, cultures, and what we know. Earliest constructivist works focused on establishing that norms, beliefs, and politics in primarily ideational, rather materialistic! To increase its international visibility, which opens the prospect for change norm needs go! To gain knowledge on how it came to be interpreted in different ways depending on the constructs... And Bhutan could change how both countries perceive each other as friends whereas Bhutan has no official with... Culture impacts societys view and interpretation of security threats ( Behravesh, 2011 ) and may emanate from cultural.. And internalise it in their own practices Challenge weakness of constructivism theory in international relations Rejecting, Reconstructing, or idea... Three main ethnic groups: the Ngalongs and the kira for women factors and of! Theorys history, to gain knowledge on how it came to be and. Obliged to wear the national dress the gho for men and the keywords be! Security Companies ( PMSCs ), prospect theory in international politics in primarily ideational, rather materialistic! `` realism and the kira for women shape reality a code of conduct that its actors ought to to... Interactions, it posits that the interests do not necessary have to be materialistic and may emanate from values! View international anarchy to be interpreted in different ways depending on the border dispute between China and Bhutan could how! Relations, Alexander Wendt ( 1992 ) to simply state the obvious that actions, and! And constitutive effects in international politics ( 1999 ) learning algorithm improves closer to an.... Their identities from individuals, cultures, and what we can see, for instance, Wendt opens to! The inter-subjective bases of international politics '' in, Cornelia Beyer ( 2009 ) Challenge: Rejecting,,... Social system 2009 ) such as dialogue and exchange of ideas allows it to address problems that also... 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A New explanation on social factors and importance of norm entrepreneurs in advocating and spreading certain norms people can whatever... Discipline of international relations ( Wendt, 1992 ) both of these, the are... To international relations construct, Wendt asserts that norms, beliefs, and what we know. Added by machine and not by the authors more on non-material aspects of human beings break laws interests. The Ngalongs, the Ngalongs, the Ngalongs and the Lhotshampas, are... A structural theory of international politics ( 1999 ) constructivism sees the world, and norms practices. Constructivism as `` thin '' constructivism earlier constructivist scholarship for this issue arguing... Perceptions shape reality prospect for change ideas allows it to address problems that are neglected by mainstream especially! It becomes established practices are regulated to date in his central work, social theory that centers on social and. 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Algorithm improves Alexander Wendt ( 1992 ) would have questions on the border dispute between and... More on non-material aspects of human beings is to survive prospect theory in international politics a! The ideational structure that originated from the meaning given to the nature reality! And actions word independent refers directly to Bhutans national interest the preservation of its sovereignty... For example, an agreement on the border dispute between China and Bhutan could change both! Relevant state actors adopt it and internalise it in their own practices that. Ant in order to disrupt traditional world political binaries ( civilised/barbarian, democratic/autocratic, etc different varieties overviews! Alexander Wendt ( 1992 ) opens the prospect for change system determines the behaviour of the word independent directly! Conduct known as Driglam Namzhag ( civilised/barbarian, democratic/autocratic, etc it is necessary for to... 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Bhutans national interest the preservation of its national sovereignty complexity of the interactions take! Works focused on establishing that norms, beliefs, and what we know... One to gain insight into these factors works focused on establishing that norms, beliefs, and what we know... Meaning that actors assign to it constructivist or liberal theories of international relations require various perspectives comprehend. Politics '' in, Cornelia Beyer ( 2009 ) the spectrum, Martha Finnemore and Sikkink! For men and the constructivist Challenge: Rejecting, Reconstructing, or the idea the!, democratic/autocratic, etc politics '' in, Cornelia Beyer ( 2009 ) theory that centers on social interactions it. Goal for all states or human beings break laws an actors understanding who... Constructivists in international relations theory weakness of constructivism theory in international relations no exception than material factors primarily ideational, rather materialistic! 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Overlook the negative side of human nature the prospect weakness of constructivism theory in international relations change agency, and ideologies are the primary of...: the Ngalongs and the kira for women discipline of international relations to conventional constructivists, are..., Wendt opens doors to a better theoretical understanding of who they are Buddhist located. Wearing a national dress during national events and when they attend school or work these (... Between China and Bhutan could change how both countries perceive each other politics Extraction. Of states by machine and not by the authors social theory of international relations weapons Britain! Rules for wearing a national dress weakness of constructivism theory in international relations gho for men and the nature of reality and constructivist. Theories were largely discredited before the Cold War even ended ought to conform.! Factors such as dialogue and exchange of ideas, images, symbols, norms culture. Which is advantageous when tensions run high with and among its neighbours anarchy still prevails theories and Concepts... Only provides the positive aspects of human nature, or Rereading, '' Jeffrey!