In this episode, we unpack one of the most influential theoretical debates in modern International Relations: the rise of constructivism as a challenge to the materialist and individualist assumptions of neorealism and neoliberalism. The discussion begins by laying out the core tenets of constructivism, highlighting how it reframes our understanding of power, identity, and global order.

From there, the episode delves into the deep philosophical foundations of the theory—examining the ontological divide between materialism and idealism, the enduring agent–structure problem, and the epistemological tensions between scientific and interpretive approaches to studying world politics.

Building on this philosophical groundwork, Bastian explores key analytical concepts such as the cultures of anarchy, identity formation, and the role of norms in shaping international behavior—revealing how these ideas bridge theory and practice. The episode concludes with a balanced assessment of constructivism’s contributions, its limitations, and the challenges it continues to face within the broader field of International Relations.

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