Constructivism and the Syrian Civil War Essay

Constructivism is a normative international dealing theory that seeks to understand the importance of societys actions and extrapolate its meaning (Adler, 1997, pp. 319-320). According to constructivism, any imposter can have xan agency in international relations much(prenominal) as states, institutions and individuals and is dissimilar to realism and liberalism where instead of the assumption that states be self-interested and rational, it accepts that these actors interests and rationality ar socially constructed and are constitutive of and by its identity operator operator (Bozdaglioglu, 2007, pp. 122-123). The formation of the states interests is inborn in its identity, whereas realism shapes them for survival of the state, and liberalism states they are derived from cooperation and interdependence. Interests are not innate or intrinsic (Risse-Kappen, 1995, p. 502).As it is socially constructed, a state can then be deconstructed and changed when all interests, identities a nd assumptions have been recognised. These interests, such as law, rules, norms and institutions are ingrained in the system of international relations and are fundamental for instating change. Constructivism is the exceed theory for understanding the events in Syria because it shows how social identities and an actors interests and preferences are socially constructed and can instigate contravention. Due to the multiple groups motivated in this impinge multiple social identities are present which are incompatible. Ultimately, the Syrian complaisant War is an identity conflict with all(prenominal) identity consisting of their own beliefs that each find exclusive. As identities and interests are constitutive, the interests of a group serve as a propellant for social action (Bozdaglioglu, 2007, pp. 131-132). Therefore these constructed interests motivate the social identities of the groups and need to be redefined in order for trust to be established. A social identity can be def ined as a socially constructed set of meanings that one attributes to oneself (Bozdaglioglu, 2007, p. 132). It is created predominately done and through the political choices and the actors interactions, assumptions, interpretation and collective meanings and serves a core role in the Syrian conflict (Adler, 1997, p. 324).The presence of multiple different social identities with numerous beliefs in the Syrian conflict is incompatible and extend in societal friction. Al-Assads regime does not represent the general public, in thesense that it favours the Shia minority and suppresses all other identities (Vallely, 2014). This is a conflict of cultural identity where all groups hold different interests in which each find exclusive. Constructivism is the only theory in which acknowledges this identity crisis between the parties involved in the Syrian civil war. Trust and peace need to be fortified and in order to do so a uncouth identity inescapably to be worked towards and founded b y all reasonable parties. As President Barack Obama states in relation to Syria Peace can be achieved by allowing opposing parties to freely announce and discuss their respective opinions which would ideally result in peaceful resolutions based on views held in common by these parties (Obama, 2013) To do so, the structure of norms in which develops demeanour and interests must be deconstructed and changed (Checkel, 1998, p. 328).An actors behaviour is complex to understand as identities are not fixed and known, and therefore it cannot be deduced from the character that is expect a state represents (Palan, 2004, p. 14). Looking through a constructivist lens, norms are collective understandings that motivate actors and therefore effect the identity and interest (Checkel, 1998, pp. 327-328). A dominant conflict in which sparked and fuels the Syrian civil war is that of the sectarian tension between the Sunni and Shia branches of Islam (Hinnebusch, 2008, pp. 263-265). Deeply embedded in the Syrian civil war is that of a sacred uproar between sects (Vallely, 2014). The uprising in Syria consists of sectarian religious overtones in which resulted in a domestic clash between Shia and Sunni sects. With a government predominately Shia and 75% of the population Sunni (joined States Central Intelligence Agency, 2014) a domestic clash between Shia government and Sunni population must be resolved in order for a common identity of the state to be formed and trust established.The al-Assad regimes Shia representation clashes with the general Sunni public and in order for this struggle to be resolved, an impartial and independent government identity must be formed. Constructivism is the only theory in which recognises these relations and its authoritative role in the civil war. It shows how the Sunni-Shia relations are an important sector of the social structure of Syria in which the actions of actors with certain identities and interests are possible (Wendt, 1995). Constr uctivism distinguishes two core assumptions of realism and liberalism in which allow for a more advanced understanding of the social structure ofSyria. Firstly, that institutions and structures only inhibit behaviour of states with fixed interests and secondly, that the identity of a state is perceived only through physical capabilities (Checkel, 1998). Relaxing these assumptions allows social structures to become important and allows the formation of identities and interests to be defined by more than just behavioural constraints (Checkel, 1998).This is exemplified by the role religious institutions have in the Syria. As the Shia minority came into power, the protests become stronger and the demonstrations from the Sunni population are seen by the al-Assad regime as terroristic. This lead to a redefining of the parties identities, conclusively leading to each side identifying the other as terrorists or criminal gangs. The identity and interests of the state are therefore constituti ve of and by the other parties and not only through physical capabilities. Social structures such as norms and culture, have a profound effect on agents, being characteristic of each parties identities and therefore interests (Checkel, 1998).In conclusion, constructivism is the best theory to explain what is happening in Syria. By analysing the central determinants of state behaviour, identity and interests, the current dissatisfaction of the status quo can be deconstructed and changed to form one common identity. Only social interaction and meaningful dialogue can guide the agents in identifying interests that is shared by the general public. Only when one common identity is defined, will trust and peace, as well as domestic, social and legal norms be established.BibliographyAdler, E. (1997). Seizing the Middle Ground Constructivism in World Politics. European ledger of Internation Relations, 3(3), 319 363. Bozdaglioglu, Y. (2007). Constructivism and Identity Formation An Interac tive Approach. Uluslararasi Hukuk ve Politika, 3(11), 121-144. Checkel, J. T. 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