Same Difference

Exploring the Divide between Critical and Conventional Constructivism

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Same Difference by Ralph Myers, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ralph Myers ISBN: 9783640755851
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: November 19, 2010
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Ralph Myers
ISBN: 9783640755851
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: November 19, 2010
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Scientific Essay from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - Political Theory and the History of Ideas Journal, grade: 77%, Dublin City University, course: International Relations, language: English, abstract: Same Difference: Exploring the Divide between Critical and Conventional Constructivism This paper explores the similarities and differences between the conventional and critical strands of constructivism within International Relation. It concludes that there is a serious cleavage between the two, even though they might appear to be similar. The first paragraph of this paper tries to define some of the concepts used in this paper, particularly the terms 'conventional constructivism', 'critical constructivism', 'research paradigm' and 'methodology'. The first part of the paragraph explains the importance of setting definitional parameters, in addition to suggesting an analogy to gain more appreciation for the cleavage, and particular the type of cleavage between critical and conventional strands that this paper will reveal. Then, using taxonomies put forward by a number of academics, the classification for both strands are given, in addition to identifying their most prominent academics. Definitions regarding methodology and research paradigm are examined through Kuhn's interpretation of paradigms. The second paragraph starts by giving an overview of similarities different academics have observed within the constructivist tradition. It focuses on the critique of positivism, interpretative methodology and the importance of socially constructed ideas. The third paragraph highlights the cleavage between critical and conventional constructivism. It argues that, although the position this paper classifies critical constructivists in a certain way which is rejected by some of those scholars, it is legitimised through Kuhn's interpretation of paradigms. Both differences in methodology and research paradigm are then exposed, and the main argument made is that critical constructivism is so radical that it not only alienates itself from other theories in IR but also conventional constructivism, using the aforementioned analogy to exemplify this.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Scientific Essay from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - Political Theory and the History of Ideas Journal, grade: 77%, Dublin City University, course: International Relations, language: English, abstract: Same Difference: Exploring the Divide between Critical and Conventional Constructivism This paper explores the similarities and differences between the conventional and critical strands of constructivism within International Relation. It concludes that there is a serious cleavage between the two, even though they might appear to be similar. The first paragraph of this paper tries to define some of the concepts used in this paper, particularly the terms 'conventional constructivism', 'critical constructivism', 'research paradigm' and 'methodology'. The first part of the paragraph explains the importance of setting definitional parameters, in addition to suggesting an analogy to gain more appreciation for the cleavage, and particular the type of cleavage between critical and conventional strands that this paper will reveal. Then, using taxonomies put forward by a number of academics, the classification for both strands are given, in addition to identifying their most prominent academics. Definitions regarding methodology and research paradigm are examined through Kuhn's interpretation of paradigms. The second paragraph starts by giving an overview of similarities different academics have observed within the constructivist tradition. It focuses on the critique of positivism, interpretative methodology and the importance of socially constructed ideas. The third paragraph highlights the cleavage between critical and conventional constructivism. It argues that, although the position this paper classifies critical constructivists in a certain way which is rejected by some of those scholars, it is legitimised through Kuhn's interpretation of paradigms. Both differences in methodology and research paradigm are then exposed, and the main argument made is that critical constructivism is so radical that it not only alienates itself from other theories in IR but also conventional constructivism, using the aforementioned analogy to exemplify this.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book Aspects of Newspaper Language - newspaper coverage with focus on the example of the Harold Shipman case by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book Die keynesianische Arbeitslosigkeit by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book Shock advertising. Are consumer responses affected by culture? A case study on Benetton campaigns under Oliviero Toscani examining German and English responses by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book Cardiovascular Disease by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on International Corporations as Exemplified by Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment in the Republic of South Africa by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book Brasília - an analogy of modernism by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book Functional food: health care or profitable business? by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book Interviewing - a Way to Generate Qualitative Data by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book How multi-national companies can benefit from globalisation drivers by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book English Romantic Poets and their Reading Audiences by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book Human rights and international security by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book A better life for child labourers and their families in Egypt by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book The Portrayal of William Rufus in the 'Vita Anselmi' and Huntingdon's 'Historia Anglorum' by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book Georg Friedrich Händel - ein kosmopolitischer barocker Starkomponist by Ralph Myers
Cover of the book Einkommensteuerliche und gewerbesteuerliche Behandlung der Einkünfte des Komplementärs einer KGaA by Ralph Myers
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy