Question

1. What would a Constructivist say about the distinction between material and ideational national interests?

Answer 1

Constructivism treats the universe as socially constructed, and what we can learn about the world. This view relates to the nature of reality and the existence of knowledge in science language which is also called ontology and epistemology. The social development of truth as he states that 500 British nuclear weapons are less of a threat to the United States than five nuclear weapons from North Korea. Such identifications are not induced by the nuclear weapons (the material structure), but rather by the sense given to the structure of the material (the ideational structure).

It is important to understand that these states view the social relationship between the United States and Britain and the United States and North Korea in a similar way, as that mutual perception (or intersubjectivity) forms the basis for their interactions. The example also demonstrates that nuclear weapons are useless on their own, unless we understand the social context. It further shows that by including the influence of ideas and beliefs on world politics, constructivists go beyond the material reality. This also means that nature is continually under development, which unlocks the possibility of improvement.

These social relations reflect the framework of the ideation that emerged from the sense given to the structure of matter. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the social relations are subject to change based on Bhutan, India and China's ideas, beliefs and actions. For example, a China-Bhutan border dispute agreement might affect how the two countries view each other. This move may result in the establishment of an official relationship whose essence is friendship rather than enmity. A constructivist is well positioned to identify and appreciate these shifts as their field of inquiry focuses on state-to-state social relations.