Conflicting Proliferations: Realism V. Constructivism

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Conflicting Proliferations: Realist v. Constructivist Patterns of Globalization in International Relations

The distinct theories of International Relations offer different explanations and connotations about the way the actors within the international scheme operate. These explanations lead the theories to act as lenses, thereby affecting the scope of the individual viewing the relations between the actors of International Relations. I argue that the different theories of IR alter the perceptions of individuals because the theories affect what kind of patterns and trends those individuals can identify in IR, thereby affecting attitudes and policy. Further, I argue that two schools of thought can perceive two different, contradictory patterns, yet both can be validly supported. The theories and patterns I will focus on are A) Realism and the global trend of military build-up, leading to security dilemmas and B) Constructivism and the global trend of disappearing anarchy, leading to greater cohesion between states in International Relations.

First, from a Realist lens, one of the emerging patterns in international relations is a global build-up of military capabilities, particularly the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology.