The Power of Ideas


Ideas can be thought of as commodities or symbolic technologies, rationalist view versus constructivist view. Here the debate is over what the role of ideas is. Ideas can have profound effects on a course of events. What actors believe can be just as important as what they want, there can be interplay between ideas and interests. Ideas that actors hold can shape how they define their interests in the first place.

Constructivists place heavy emphasis on ideas and their effect on international relations. They move away from the realist focus on materialism, and instead focus on the identities and interests of international actors. This, they believe, is a result of ideas and the social construction of ideas which is given by social interaction. That is to say that the “meat and potatoes” of international relations isn’t fixed, it changes changes and arises out of a social context. Ideas effect change in international relations because they can empower actors through discourse. Examples of ideas with some power in the international relations realm are normative concerns such as human rights and sovereignty. 

Ideas are a social phenomena, a practice that can vary across time and space. They are a set of shared form of practices, which through their capacities construct meaning about themselves. Through these capabilities they are able to produce representations, which is a form of power in and of itself. Ideas are social entities that are inherent in interests, they are driven by social discourse and experience. This can shift national interests which can significantly influence foreign policy.

Ideas alone, though, can not drive international relations. They exist within particular material structures, and it is interaction with these structures that lends ideas substance and power. This is a productive power, allowing states to purse relevant foreign policy approaches.

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 22, 2018 at 1:20 PM

    Ideas are quite powerful vehicles for strong personalities in the international realm. I would agree that they cannot drive international relations by themselves, but they sure can affect them in powerful ways. If the idea is held by a powerful entity, to what extent can influence allow that idea to circumvent rational boundaries or material structures? Ideas have founded social movements, destroyed alliances, and changed the course of history. An irrational idea, from an irrational actor, doesn't always need to pursue relevant foreign policy. President Maduro and his new 6 year term could vouch for that (but why would he). One person's delusion is another person's reality.

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