Theory in Action: Constructivism

Summary

The Matrix is used as an analogy to explain constructivism, where Neo's ability to break the rules mirrors how people can change societal norms. The speaker discusses how collective belief in institutions like the United States is what sustains them, and how international relations rely on shared concepts of statehood and diplomacy. Constructivists focus on the evolution of these ideas over time, contrasting with realist or liberal approaches. The USSR's dissolution is cited as an example of how collective mindset shifts can lead to rapid change.

Takeaways

• 🌐 In 'The Matrix', Neo's power to change the rules of the program is analogous to how constructivists view people shaping the world through their interactions.
• 🔄 Constructivists believe that social life and institutions like the United States are constructs based on collective beliefs and agreements.
• 🧠 The power to change societal rules is not evenly distributed; some individuals, like Barack Obama, have more influence due to their positions.
• 🔄 The existence of entities like nations is a social construct that relies on the collective belief in their existence and the rules governing them.
• 🌟 Constructivists argue that international relations depend on shared ideas and belief structures among nations.
• 👽 The concept of international relations would be impossible without a shared understanding of states and their roles, as illustrated by the hypothetical Martian scenario.
• 🕰️ Constructivist questions often focus on longer timescales, examining the origins and changes in societal beliefs rather than immediate political strategies.
• 🏗️ The fall of the USSR illustrates how collective belief can rapidly dissolve institutions that were once considered immutable.
• 🚦 Many aspects of our daily life are based on arbitrary choices that have become habitual, such as traffic signals.
• 🤔 Constructivism encourages us to question the naturalness of our social constructs and to consider the possibility of alternative realities.

Q & A

What is the main idea presented in the script about the world being a computer program?

The script suggests that the world operates like a computer program where individuals, like Neo in The Matrix, can change the rules that govern it, thereby gaining significant influence or power.

How does the script relate the concept of Neo's abilities in The Matrix to constructivism?

The script uses Neo's ability to break the rules of the program in The Matrix as an analogy for how constructivists view people as constantly changing societal rules and structures.

What role does the script suggest that influential people play in changing societal rules?

The script implies that influential people, like Barack Obama, are better placed to change societal rules because their actions and ideas are more likely to be listened to and adopted by others.

How does the script describe the cycle of changing societal rules?

The script describes a cycle where societal rules are constantly being changed in small ways, which are themselves influenced by the existing social framework.

What does the script suggest is the basis for the existence of entities like the United States?

The script posits that entities like the United States exist not because of physical attributes but because of collective belief and agreement among people about their existence and importance.

How does the script define constructivism in relation to social life?

Constructivism, as described in the script, views social life as something built by people based on their interactions and relationships with each other.

What is the script's perspective on the necessity of shared belief structures for international relations?

The script suggests that shared belief structures about the existence and function of states and governments are essential for international relations to occur.

How does the script use the example of an alien from Mars to illustrate the importance of shared beliefs in international relations?

The script uses the hypothetical scenario of an alien from Mars who does not understand the concept of states to highlight that without shared beliefs, diplomatic relations cannot be established.

What time scales do constructivists typically consider, according to the script?

Constructivists, as mentioned in the script, focus on longer time scales, examining how beliefs and ideas about societal structures have evolved over time.

How does the script use the fall of the USSR to illustrate the power of changing beliefs?

The script uses the fall of the USSR as an example of how a significant political entity can disintegrate rapidly when people collectively decide that it is no longer important or necessary.

What does the script suggest about the arbitrariness of everyday societal norms?

The script implies that many societal norms, such as traffic signals, are arbitrary and could be different if people collectively decided to change them.