International Non-Governmental Organizations in the Constructivist Paradigm of International Relations Research

Cover Page

Cite item

Full Text

Abstract

The subject of the study is international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), considered as an analytical unit of such a paradigm of international relations research as constructivism. Unlike neorealism and neoliberalism, competing theoretical schools that generally do not leave a place for INGOs in their constructions, constructivism allows for the possibility of participation of such organizations in world politics, giving them the role of conductors of various ideas, principles and agendas that could potentially lead to political changes. Nevertheless, INGOs are not conceptualized by constructivism as some kind of "free" actors whose activities are not limited to anyone. When states finance INGOs, they often set certain tasks for them, delegate certain functions to them, or even openly use them as a means of realizing their international political interests. The research methodology is formed by the works of K. Waltz, J. Mearsheimer, J. Ikenberry, A. Wendt, which serve as the foundation of the leading paradigms in the study of international relations (neorealism, neoliberalism, constructivism). The main conclusions of the completed study can be considered as follows. Neorealism demonstrate a certain indifference to the INGOs. Neorealism views states fighting each other as some kind of "black boxes". Since INGOs are based in a particular state, they find themselves inside this very "black box", not deserving of research attention, unlike the great powers. According to the provisions of neoliberalism, global peace and cooperation are possible only with the spread and development of international institutions, which are initiated and controlled by the leading states, which, therefore, deserve priority research attention. Constructivism, on the contrary, allows for the international political significance of INGOs that participate in the formation of identities, in the promotion of ideas and principles, and in the performance of roles that can initiate political change.

References

  1. Алексеева Т. А. Агент-структурные отношения: методология конструктивизма // Полис. Политические исследования. 2022. № 4. С. 77-93.
  2. Алексеева Т. А. «Третье поколение» конструктивизма: что нового? // Социальные и гуманитарные знания. 2022. № 1. С. 6-21.
  3. Ahmed S., Potter D. M. NGOs in International Politics. Boulder: Kumarian Press, 2006. 285 p.
  4. Buck D., Hosli M. O. Traditional Theories of International Relations // The Changing Global Order: Challenges and Prospects / Ed. by M.O. Hosli, J. Selleslaghs. Cham: Springer, 2020. P. 3-22.
  5. Charountaki M. Conceptualising Non-State Actors in International Relations // Mapping Non-State Actors in International Relations / Ed. by M. Charountaki, D. Irrera. Cham: Springer, 2022. P. 1-16.
  6. DeMars W. E., Dijkzeul D. Introduction: NGOing // The NGO Challenge for International Relations Theory / Ed. by W. E. DeMars, D. Dijkzeul. Abingdon: Routledge, 2015. P. 3-38.
  7. Hall R. B., Biersteker T. J. The Emergence of Private Authority in the International System // The Emergence of Private Authority in Global Governance / Ed. by R. B. Hall, T. J. Biersteker. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. P. 3-22.
  8. Ikenberry G. J. After Victory: Institutions, Strategic Restraint, and the Rebuilding of Order After Major Wars. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2001. 293 p.
  9. Lilyblad C. M. NGOs in Constructivist International Relations Theory // Routledge Handbook of NGOs and International Relations / Ed. by T. Davies. Abingdon: Routledge, 2019. P. 113-127.
  10. McCourt D. M. The New Constructivism in International Relations Theory. Bristol: Bristol University Press, 2022. 225 p.
  11. McDonald M. Constructivisms // Security Studies: An Introduction / Ed. by P. D. Williams, M. McDonald. Abingdon: Routledge, 2023. P. 52-66.
  12. Mearsheimer J. J. The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003. 592 p.
  13. Onuf N. G. World of Our Making: Rules and Rule in Social Theory and International Relations. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1989. 341 p.
  14. Park S. Constructivism // International Organization and Global Governance / Ed. by T. G. Weiss, R. Wilkinson. Abingdon: Routledge, 2023. P. 133-143.
  15. Reus-Smit C. Constructivism // Theories of International Relations / Ed. by R. Devetak, J. True. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2022. P. 188-206.
  16. Waltz K. N. Political Structures // Neorealism and Its Critics / Ed. by R. O. Keohane. New York: Columbia University Press, 1986. P. 70-97.
  17. Waltz K. N. Theory of International Politics. Reading: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1979. 256 p.
  18. Wendt A. Social Theory of International Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999. 450 p.

Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
Action
1. JATS XML
Download

Согласие на обработку персональных данных

 

Используя сайт https://journals.rcsi.science, я (далее – «Пользователь» или «Субъект персональных данных») даю согласие на обработку персональных данных на этом сайте (текст Согласия) и на обработку персональных данных с помощью сервиса «Яндекс.Метрика» (текст Согласия).