3.2 Norms and identity in international relations

Norms and identity are key concepts in constructivism, shaping how actors behave and define themselves in international relations. These social constructs influence state interests, alliances, and global order, challenging realist and liberal assumptions about fixed interests and universal values.

Constructivists argue that norms and identities are not static, but evolve through interaction and contestation. This dynamic view helps explain changes in state behavior, emergence of new international actors, and transformations in world politics over time. Understanding these concepts is crucial for analyzing global affairs.

Norms in international relations

• Norms play a crucial role in shaping the behavior of actors in the international system, providing standards of appropriate conduct
• Constructivists emphasize the importance of norms in constituting the identities and interests of states and other international actors
• Norms can emerge, evolve, and decline over time through processes of social interaction and contestation

Definition of norms

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• Norms are shared expectations about appropriate behavior for actors with a given identity
• Consist of standards of proper conduct that are socially constructed and intersubjectively shared among actors
• Can be formal or informal, explicit or implicit, and vary in their degree of specificity and institutionalization

Types of international norms

• Regulative norms prescribe or proscribe particular behaviors (prohibition on the use of chemical weapons)
• Constitutive norms define the identities and interests of actors (sovereignty as a constitutive norm of the modern state system)
• Evaluative norms provide standards for judging and criticizing behavior (human rights norms)
• Practical norms guide decision-making and problem-solving in specific issue areas (norms of diplomatic protocol)

Evolution of norms over time

• Norms are not fixed or static, but can change and evolve through processes of social interaction and contestation
• New norms can emerge and become institutionalized through the efforts of norm entrepreneurs and transnational advocacy networks
• Existing norms can weaken or disappear as they lose their legitimacy or are challenged by alternative norms
• The evolution of norms is shaped by factors such as power, interests, ideas, and events in the international system

Norms as social constructs

• Norms are not objective facts or natural laws, but are socially constructed through the practices and interactions of actors
• The meaning and content of norms are not fixed or given, but are interpreted and negotiated by actors in specific social and historical contexts
• Norms are embedded in broader structures of meaning and identity that shape how actors understand and respond to them

Norms vs laws in global politics

• While norms and laws both provide standards of appropriate behavior, they differ in their degree of formality, specificity, and enforceability
• Laws are formally codified, precisely defined, and backed by the coercive power of the state or international organizations
• Norms are often more informal, ambiguous, and dependent on the voluntary compliance and social pressure of actors
• The relationship between norms and laws is complex, as norms can shape the development of laws, and laws can formalize and reinforce norms

Identity in international relations

• Identity refers to the ways in which actors define themselves and are defined by others in the international system
• Constructivists see identities as socially constructed and intersubjective, rather than as fixed or given attributes of actors
• Identities shape the interests, preferences, and actions of states and other international actors

Definition of identity

• Identity is the understanding and expectation about self that an actor develops in relation to others through social interaction
• Consists of the roles, values, norms, and narratives that define an actor's sense of self and its place in the world
• Can operate at multiple levels, from the individual to the state to the global, and can be multiple and overlapping

National vs regional identity

• National identity refers to the shared sense of belonging and loyalty to a particular nation-state, often based on factors such as language, culture, history, and territory
• Regional identity refers to the shared sense of belonging and solidarity among a group of states or peoples within a particular geographic region (European identity, Arab identity)
• National and regional identities can coexist and interact in complex ways, shaping the interests and actions of states and non-state actors

Identity formation and change

• Identities are not fixed or primordial, but are constructed and reconstructed through social interaction and historical processes
• Identity formation involves the creation and maintenance of boundaries between self and other, and the development of shared meanings and expectations
• Identities can change over time in response to factors such as globalization, migration, conflict, and social movements
• The formation and change of identities is shaped by power relations and the actions of identity entrepreneurs and social groups

Identity and state behavior

• State identities shape their interests, preferences, and actions in the international system
• States with different identities may have different understandings of their roles, responsibilities, and appropriate behavior in international affairs
• Identity can influence a state's foreign policy orientation, alliance patterns, and willingness to cooperate or conflict with other states
• Changes in state identity can lead to shifts in state behavior and the nature of international relations

Identity and international conflict

• Identities can be a source of both cooperation and conflict in the international system
• Shared identities can facilitate cooperation and the formation of security communities among states
• Conflicting identities can lead to misperception, mistrust, and the escalation of conflicts between states and non-state actors
• The politics of identity, such as nationalism and ethnic conflict, can be a major driver of international conflict and instability

Constructivism and norms

• Constructivism is an approach to international relations that emphasizes the role of ideas, norms, and identities in shaping the behavior of actors
• Constructivists see norms as central to the constitution of identities and interests, and the construction of social reality in the international system

Constructivist view of norms

• Norms are not just constraints on behavior, but are constitutive of the identities and interests of actors
• Norms are not just regulative, but also have a constitutive effect on the social world, defining what is possible and impossible, desirable and undesirable
• Norms are not just external to actors, but are internalized and embodied in their practices and self-understandings

Norms as intersubjective understandings

• Norms are not just subjective beliefs or objective facts, but are intersubjective understandings shared among actors
• The meaning and content of norms are not fixed or given, but are negotiated and contested through social interaction and communication
• Norms are not just static or given, but are dynamic and evolving, shaped by the practices and discourses of actors

Norms and the social construction of reality

• Norms are part of the social construction of reality, shaping the way actors perceive and interpret the world around them
• Norms define what counts as legitimate knowledge, appropriate behavior, and valued goals in a given social context
• The social construction of reality is not a one-way process, but involves the mutual constitution of agents and structures through social practices

Norms and the constitution of identities

• Norms are central to the constitution of identities, defining the roles, values, and expectations associated with particular social positions and groups
• Identities are not just given or natural, but are constructed and performed through the enactment of norms and the reproduction of social practices
• The relationship between norms and identities is not just one-way, but involves a process of mutual constitution and transformation

Constructivism vs realism on norms

• While realists see norms as epiphenomenal and largely irrelevant to the behavior of states in an anarchic international system, constructivists see norms as central to the constitution of identities and interests
• Realists emphasize the role of material power and self-interest in shaping state behavior, while constructivists emphasize the role of ideas, norms, and social structures
• Constructivists challenge the realist assumption of a fixed and objective reality, arguing that the social world is constructed through the practices and interactions of actors

Constructivism and identity

• Constructivism sees identities as socially constructed and intersubjective, rather than as fixed or given attributes of actors
• Constructivists emphasize the role of social interaction, communication, and cultural practices in the formation and transformation of identities

Constructivist view of identity

• Identities are not just descriptive categories or labels, but are social constructions that shape the way actors understand themselves and others
• Identities are not just individual or psychological, but are social and relational, defined through the interactions and practices of actors
• Identities are not just static or given, but are dynamic and contested, subject to processes of construction, negotiation, and transformation

Identity as socially constructed

• Identities are not natural or essential, but are constructed through social processes of interaction, communication, and interpretation
• The construction of identities involves the creation and maintenance of boundaries between self and other, and the development of shared meanings and expectations
• The social construction of identities is shaped by factors such as power relations, historical narratives, and cultural practices

Identity and the construction of interests

• Identities shape the interests and preferences of actors, defining what they want and how they pursue their goals
• Interests are not just given or objective, but are constructed through the identities and social positions of actors
• The construction of interests involves a process of interpretation and negotiation, as actors define their goals and strategies in relation to their identities and social contexts

Identity and the formation of alliances

• Identities can shape the formation and maintenance of alliances among states and other international actors
• Shared identities can facilitate cooperation and the development of security communities, as actors develop common interests and values
• Conflicting identities can lead to the formation of rival alliances and the escalation of conflicts between groups

Constructivism vs liberalism on identity

• While liberals tend to see identities as given or natural, and focus on the role of institutions and interdependence in shaping state behavior, constructivists see identities as socially constructed and contested
• Liberals emphasize the role of individual choice and rational action in shaping identities and interests, while constructivists emphasize the role of social structures and cultural practices
• Constructivists challenge the liberal assumption of a universal human nature or a cosmopolitan global identity, arguing that identities are always particular and contextual

Norms, identity, and international order

• Norms and identities are central to the construction and maintenance of international order, shaping the rules, institutions, and practices that govern the behavior of actors
• Changes in norms and identities can lead to the transformation of international order, as new actors and issues emerge and challenge existing arrangements

Norms and the stability of international order

• Norms can contribute to the stability of international order by providing shared expectations and standards of appropriate behavior
• The institutionalization of norms in international law, organizations, and regimes can help to manage conflicts and facilitate cooperation among actors
• The erosion or contestation of norms can lead to the destabilization of international order, as actors challenge existing rules and arrangements

Identity and the legitimacy of international order

• The legitimacy of international order depends in part on the extent to which it reflects and accommodates the identities and interests of actors
• International order is more likely to be seen as legitimate if it is based on shared norms and values, and if it provides opportunities for the expression and recognition of diverse identities
• Challenges to the legitimacy of international order can arise when actors feel that their identities and interests are not being adequately represented or respected

Norms, identity, and the evolution of international order

• Norms and identities are not just static or given, but are dynamic and evolving, shaped by the practices and interactions of actors over time
• Changes in norms and identities can lead to the evolution of international order, as new issues and actors emerge and challenge existing arrangements
• The evolution of international order is not just a matter of material power or rational choice, but involves the social construction of new norms, identities, and institutions

Norms, identity, and the challenge to international order

• Challenges to international order can arise when actors contest or reject existing norms and identities, and seek to establish new ones
• The rise of new powers, the emergence of transnational social movements, and the spread of new ideas and technologies can all pose challenges to the existing international order
• Challenges to international order can take the form of normative contestation, identity politics, or institutional reform, as actors seek to reshape the rules and practices of global governance

Norms, identity, and the future of international order

• The future of international order will depend in part on the ability of actors to navigate and shape the changing landscape of norms and identities
• The construction of a more inclusive, legitimate, and effective international order will require the development of new norms and institutions that can accommodate diverse identities and interests
• The future of international order will also depend on the ability of actors to manage the tensions and conflicts that arise from competing norms and identities, and to find ways to build common ground and collective action