Rationalism v. Constructivism: Another Great Debate for Coming in International Relations?
Author: Tahua Mo
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
Rationalism vs. constructivism is an ongoing great debate in the InternationalRelations Theory (IRT), the debate topics are on: 1) materials matter or ideasmatter in shaping agency’s behaviors.2) international institution’s effects. 3)identity formation and international norms compliance. 4) logic of consequences orappropriateness mode of decision-making. 5) explanation or understanding ininternational studies.This great debate will bring about to reorganize the IRT itself, an empiricalresearch’s dominance in IRT, neo-perspectives which integrate the rationalism andconstructivism, and the convergence of constructivism and postmodernism.
Keywords：Constructivism、International Relations Theory、Postmodernism、Rationalism