| Social constructivism originated with a movement in psychology that was a reaction to behaviorism, which has dominated educational, organizational, and systems theory since WWII, much like social constructivism in international relations is itself based on critique of the neo-realist tradition that has dominated post-world war politics in international relations. Social constructivist psychology, educational, organizational and industrial theory are methods that support general systems theory, a post WWII theory that provided for perspectives with regards to the social organization of modern industrial society. Social constructivist theory in international relations as it has recently been theorized is more of a social theory of international relations. Integrating organizational theory with social theory, sociological methods, middle range international relations theory and the construct of complex interdependence does provide for a theory more consistent with recent trends in mainstream social constructivism. This perspective is supported by synthetic epistemological views in normative philosophy and the origins of constructivism in psychology, education and learning, organizational and systems theory. While understanding the theory in this way masks close similarities to neo-liberal institutionalism, mainstream liberalism does not best characterize the theory. Following a postmodernist critique of the traditional realist and liberal theories of international relations, constructivism provides for a systems perspective that offers potential solutions to problems with the organization of international society that postmodernism fails to undertake. Emphasizing history and mirroring nineteenth century social theory that expressed concern over social forces in international society, in reflection of European imperialism, social constructivism integrates social theory with a systemics to approach similar concerns over societal forces with change in the international system from the onset of the information age, integration and the end of the Cold War. |
