Realism vs. Neoliberalism and Constructivism: Main Points of Debate

Abstract: Following the collapse of the bipolar world realist approaches were placed under close scrutiny by neoliberals and constructivists. The legacy of the realist school actually became an object of numerous attacks, which were undertaken to demonstrate its discrepancy with new international re...

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Main Authors: Y. V. Borovsky, P. A. Gvozdev
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MGIMO University Press 2015-10-01
Series:Vestnik MGIMO-Universiteta
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.vestnik.mgimo.ru/jour/article/view/426
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author Y. V. Borovsky
P. A. Gvozdev
author_facet Y. V. Borovsky
P. A. Gvozdev
author_sort Y. V. Borovsky
collection DOAJ
description Abstract: Following the collapse of the bipolar world realist approaches were placed under close scrutiny by neoliberals and constructivists. The legacy of the realist school actually became an object of numerous attacks, which were undertaken to demonstrate its discrepancy with new international realities. In the course of sharp debates proponents of realism managed to show the weakness of neoliberal argumentation and, further, to testify that a number of high-sounding neoliberal theories are poorlygrounded. At the same time, realism’s supporters proved themselves to be incapable of defeating constructivists. The new opponents persuasively revealed the apparent though neglected earlier controversy between the basic materialist assumptions of the realist school and the not entirely materialist tool of their reflection in the international relations, i.e. the concept of power. Only after a time realists managed to find some credible theoretical ground and make first effective steps towards building a consistent system of counterarguments against constructivism. However, ‘the constructivist assault’ caused a profound review of the realist theoretical and practical apparatus. Among currently relevant applied propositions of the school we should name assumptions of statism, of anarchy, of the significance of the power factor (while recognising the dual nature of power in international relations) as well as the ‘relative gains problem’.
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spelling doaj-art-ac3276cf21c14795b452ccee83a96e762025-01-30T12:16:13ZengMGIMO University PressVestnik MGIMO-Universiteta2071-81602541-90992015-10-0105(44)12613510.24833/2071-8160-2015-5-44-126-135426Realism vs. Neoliberalism and Constructivism: Main Points of DebateY. V. Borovsky0P. A. Gvozdev1Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University)Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University)Abstract: Following the collapse of the bipolar world realist approaches were placed under close scrutiny by neoliberals and constructivists. The legacy of the realist school actually became an object of numerous attacks, which were undertaken to demonstrate its discrepancy with new international realities. In the course of sharp debates proponents of realism managed to show the weakness of neoliberal argumentation and, further, to testify that a number of high-sounding neoliberal theories are poorlygrounded. At the same time, realism’s supporters proved themselves to be incapable of defeating constructivists. The new opponents persuasively revealed the apparent though neglected earlier controversy between the basic materialist assumptions of the realist school and the not entirely materialist tool of their reflection in the international relations, i.e. the concept of power. Only after a time realists managed to find some credible theoretical ground and make first effective steps towards building a consistent system of counterarguments against constructivism. However, ‘the constructivist assault’ caused a profound review of the realist theoretical and practical apparatus. Among currently relevant applied propositions of the school we should name assumptions of statism, of anarchy, of the significance of the power factor (while recognising the dual nature of power in international relations) as well as the ‘relative gains problem’.https://www.vestnik.mgimo.ru/jour/article/view/426«проблема относительных выгод»«демократический мир»international relationsneorealismstructural realismneoliberalismconstructivisma system of international relationsthe relative gains problembalancinginternational structuredemocratic peace
spellingShingle Y. V. Borovsky
P. A. Gvozdev
Realism vs. Neoliberalism and Constructivism: Main Points of Debate
Vestnik MGIMO-Universiteta
«проблема относительных выгод»
«демократический мир»
international relations
neorealism
structural realism
neoliberalism
constructivism
a system of international relations
the relative gains problem
balancing
international structure
democratic peace
title Realism vs. Neoliberalism and Constructivism: Main Points of Debate
title_full Realism vs. Neoliberalism and Constructivism: Main Points of Debate
title_fullStr Realism vs. Neoliberalism and Constructivism: Main Points of Debate
title_full_unstemmed Realism vs. Neoliberalism and Constructivism: Main Points of Debate
title_short Realism vs. Neoliberalism and Constructivism: Main Points of Debate
title_sort realism vs neoliberalism and constructivism main points of debate
topic «проблема относительных выгод»
«демократический мир»
international relations
neorealism
structural realism
neoliberalism
constructivism
a system of international relations
the relative gains problem
balancing
international structure
democratic peace
url https://www.vestnik.mgimo.ru/jour/article/view/426
work_keys_str_mv AT yvborovsky realismvsneoliberalismandconstructivismmainpointsofdebate
AT pagvozdev realismvsneoliberalismandconstructivismmainpointsofdebate