Constructivism, Part I

Ideas change over time.


This is the basis of an international relations theory called constructivism, one of the three major theories of how countries relate to each other.


Here's an example:


The United States and the United Kingdom were at war in the 1770s. In the 1790s, both countries were suspicious of each others' military activities. A military buildup in the United Kingdom could be seen as a threat to the United States. There was still bad blood between the two countries. War might have seemed possible.


Then, ideas changed.


By the 2020s, the United States and the United Kingdom are not at all suspicious of each others' military activities. A military buildup in the United States poses no thread to the United Kingdom; the thought of the US and the UK at war with each other seems absurd. In the 1790s this was not the case.


The idea of war between the two countries seemed possible in the 1790s. It seems impossible in the 2020s. The US and UK regularly enhance their military capabilities, but they are not threatened by each other. All that changed were the ideas of what is possible.


This is constructivism.

Mennonites are constructivists.


Check back later for my second blog post on Mennonites and constructivism.

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