Approaches to State Power: A Comparative Analysis of Neorealism & Constructivism
Introduction
When looking at international relations as a field of study, it is essential to note the existence of a variety of approaches and theories that not only attempt to explain why certain phenomena occur on the international political stage but also have a large impact on the doctrines and beliefs that states adopt over time, eventually shaping the global dynamics between states and how these evolve and survive over time. In every case, these approaches consider different variables that potentially impact future outcomes for nations and people, however, at the centre of all these theories lies a shared variable, power. In a global context, when referring to power, it is fair to assume that no matter how it has been contextualised in different periods or how it is perceived by various theories, power has had an essential role in international politics and ultimately in shaping the world.
This essay will analyse and compare two of the more popular approaches, neorealism and constructivism. Similar to many international relations theories, both have certain assumptions that attempt to find justification for the actions of other participants in the global political scene. The essay will first define the concepts and examine the fundamental assumptions they have about the international system, and then it will discuss how they differ in terms of their views on power. It will then compare and contrast these differences with a particular focus on what role power plays and analyse if this creates any strengths or weaknesses relative to the other and in the final section the findings will be summarised along with criticisms.
