Constructivism in a Geopolitical Era 🌍

This roundtable will reflect on the relevance of constructivist scholarship in a world shaped by great power competition, war, and security concerns. Key questions include whether geopolitics undermines or strengthens constructivist approaches, how concepts such as norms, identity, sovereignty, and legitimacy may need rethinking, and whether a more pessimistic constructivism is required today. The discussion will also address how scholars can engage policymakers who often default to materialist framings of international politics, and how constructivism might adapt, defend, or expand in response to shifting global dynamics.

Participants:
Rebecca Adler-Nissen (University of Copenhagen)
Kristin Haugevik (NUPI)
Patrick Thaddeus Jackson (American University)
Oliver Kessler (University of Erfurt)
Nicholas Onuf (Florida International University)

Moderators:
Morten Skumsrud Andersen (NUPI)
Halvard Leira (NUPI)