This new book unites in one volume some of the most prominent critiques of Alexander Wendt's constructivist theory of international relations and includes the first comprehensive reply by Wendt. Partly reprints of benchmark articles, partly new original critiques, the critical chapters are informed by a wide array of contending theories ranging from realism to poststructuralism. The collected leading theorists critique Wendt's seminal book Social Theory of International Politics and his subsequent revisions. They take issue with the full panoply of Wendt's approach, such as his alleged positivism, his critique of the realist school, the conceptualism of identity, and his teleological theory of history. Wendt's reply is not limited to rebuttal only. For the first time, he develops his recent idea of quantum social science, as well as its implications for theorising international relations. This unique volume will be a necessary companion to Wendt's book for students and researchers seeking a better understanding of his work, and also offers one of the most up-to-date collections on constructivist theorizing.

This important text offers a full and detailed account of how to use discourse analysis to study foreign policy making. It provides an in-depth discussion of the methodology of discourse analysis and a poststructuralist theory of the relationship between identity and foreign policy.
Part I examines the concept of identity and the intertextual relationship between official foreign policy discourse and oppositional and media discourses. It explains how genres can be as significant as having authority and knowledge when authors and politicians seek to establish themselves. Lene Hansen also presents and explains a theory of the construction of identity in foreign policy debates and demonstrates how competing discourses destabilize each other and how the dynamic of self versus other, pervades the process of foreign policy making.
Part II applies discourse analytical theory and methodology to a detailed analysis of the Western debate on the Bosnian war. This analysis includes a historical genealogy of the Western construction of the Balkans as well as readings of the official British and American policies, the debate in the House of Commons and the US Senate, Western media representations, academic debates and travel writing and autobiography.
Providing an introduction to discourse analysis and critical perspectives on international relations this book will be essential reading for students and scholars of international relations, security studies and research methodology.

This important text offers a full and detailed account of how to use discourse analysis to study foreign policy making. It provides an in-depth discussion of the methodology of discourse analysis and a poststructuralist theory of the relationship between identity and foreign policy.
Part I examines the concept of identity and the intertextual relationship between official foreign policy discourse and oppositional and media discourses. It explains how genres can be as significant as having authority and knowledge when authors and politicians seek to establish themselves. Lene Hansen also presents and explains a theory of the construction of identity in foreign policy debates and demonstrates how competing discourses destabilize each other and how the dynamic of self versus other, pervades the process of foreign policy making.
Part II applies discourse analytical theory and methodology to a detailed analysis of the Western debate on the Bosnian war. This analysis includes a historical genealogy of the Western construction of the Balkans as well as readings of the official British and American policies, the debate in the House of Commons and the US Senate, Western media representations, academic debates and travel writing and autobiography.
Providing an introduction to discourse analysis and critical perspectives on international relations this book will be essential reading for students and scholars of international relations, security studies and research methodology.

Constructivism is one of the three most influential schools of international relations theory. Alexander Wendt is one of the main proponents of constructivism and arguably the leading American constructivist. Wendt challenges popular assumptions about states and the states system to demonstrate that the international system is socially constructed, arguing that identities, norms, and culture play important roles in world politics. His articles and book Social Theory of International Politics (CUP, 1999) have attracted widespread praise and are widely studied on international relations courses throughout the US, Europe and rest of the world. This volume addresses both Wendt's social theory and international relations theory, exploring a variety of constructivist debates without reducing constructivism to one single position. The editors begin with a general introduction and chapter that provides an accessible summary of Wendt's theory and the first generation of debates. theorists to focus on the specific issues in the meta-theoretical and theoretical challenges posed by his work and constructivism more generally. Finally the book concludes the book with a detailed response to the issues and questions raised. Describing the most important debates within constructivism, this book shows the way to new and different directions about how to study the topic. It will be a necessary companion to Wendt's book for students and researchers seeking a better understanding of his work and also offers one of the most up-to-date collections on constructivist theorizing.