PSCI 2601 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-5: Human Security, Security Dilemma, Environmental Security
21 Feb 2017
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In addition to the problem of anarchy and human nature, realists cite two key factors that impede us from achieving national security through cooperation: cheating. States are rational actors, therefore cooperation may be negotiated by windows of opportunity. Constructivism: mainstream constructivists likes alexander wendt generally accept key realist assumptions: But, mainstream, constructivists diverge from realists in at least two areas: 1. Interests are socially constructed by structures of the international system (as are the structures themselves) The security dilemma serves as a social structure. A security community as a social structure: 2. Changing the way we think about international relations can bring about more security. Power politics is perceived as a self-sustaining structure that leads to conflict, because of what it implies (survival and self-help), but this can be changed if the structure shifts to something more optimistic: e(cid:454). We(cid:374)dt argues that (cid:858)a(cid:374)ar(cid:272)h(cid:455) is (cid:449)hat states (cid:373)ake of it(cid:859: note: material thi(cid:374)gs are also i(cid:374)terpreted through so(cid:272)ial stru(cid:272)tures.
