Constructivism and the Syrian Civil War Essay

Constructivism is a normative transnational dealings theory that seeks to understand the importance of societys exertions and extrapolate its meaning (Adler, 1997, pp. 319-320). According to constructivism, any actor can dumbfound xan agency in international relations such as states, institutions and individuals and is non-homogeneous to realism and liberalism where instead of the assumption that states atomic number 18 self-interested and rational, it accepts that these actors interests and tenableness atomic number 18 tenderly constructed and are constitutive of and by its identity (Bozdaglioglu, 2007, pp. 122-123). The constitution 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 interest s, identities and assumptions render 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 best 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 counterpoint. Due to the triune groups rund in this conflict multiple social identities are parade which are incompatible. Ultimately, the Syrian Civil War is an identity conflict with apiece 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 pack to be redefined in rule for trust to be established. A social identity can be defined a s a socially constructed set of meanings that one attributes to oneself (Bozdaglioglu, 2007, p. 132). It is created predominately finished the political choices and the actors interactions, assumptions, interpretation and collective meanings and serves a spunk section 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 impart in societal friction. Al-Assads regime does not run the general humanity, in thesense that it favours the Shia minority and suppresses all some 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 mingled with the parties involved in the Syrian civil war. Trust and peace need to be fortified and in order to do so a commonality identity needs to be worked towards and founded b y all sensitive parties. As President Barack Obama states in relation to Syria Peace can be achieved by allowing opposing parties to freely express 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 deportment 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 assumed a state represents (Palan, 2004, p. 14). Looking done 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 betwixt the Sunni and Shia branches of Islam (Hinnebusch, 2008, pp. 263-265). Deeply embedded i n the Syrian civil war is that of a religious uproar between sects (Vallely, 2014). The uprising in Syria consists of sectarian religious overtones in which resulted in a domestic help clash between Shia and Sunni sects. With a presidential term predominately Shia and 75% of the commonwealth Sunni (United States primaeval Intelligence Agency, 2014) a domestic clash between Shia government and Sunni population must be determined 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 consequential sector of the social structure of Syria in which the actions of actors with certain identities and interests are t hinkable (Wendt, 1995). Constructivism distinguishes two core assumptions of realism and liberalism in which allow for a more(prenominal) 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 wretched gangs. The identity and in terests of the state are therefore constitutive 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 singularity of each parties identities and therefore interests (Checkel, 1998).In conclusion, constructivism is the best theory to explain what is natural event in Syria. By analysing the central determinants of state behaviour, identity and interests, the current dissatisfaction of the lieu 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 divided by the general public. Only when one common identity is defined, leave alone 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 daybook of Internation dealing, 3(3), 319 363. Bozdaglioglu, Y. (2007). Constructivism and Identity Formation An Interactive Approach. Uluslararasi Hukuk ve Politika, 3(11), 121-144. 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