CIAO DATE: 9/07
Culture and Conflict: Volume 54 (Summer 2004)
The arrival of constructivism towards the end of the 1980s appeared to herald a truly alternative approach to the neorealist and neoliberal theories which dominated the debate in International Relations. However, after the first surge of enthusiasm, it became clear that, despite its promises, the mainstream constructivism which was beginning to take hold, especially in North America, was a very broad current that could easily fit in with positivist approaches. In the field of security studies, this mainstream constructivism has produced some interesting work, but which reflects a deeply ingrained cautiousness. So there is no surprise to see a critical constructivist trend emerge, which is much more postpositivist, and which does not refuse to dialogue with postmodernism and Critical Theory. This approach is not to be confused with “critical security studies” and is dintinguished in particular by its critical assessment of the work done by the Copenhagen School.