Reflection Week 5

This past week I enjoyed our class discussions and our trip to the European Union. In preparation for Thursday’s alien inspired simulation we talked on Tuesday about self-image and social norms. It was interesting to hear everyone’s perceptions regarding the way in which they view the normality's of appearance and behavior at American University. I have noticed how differently both males and females in our age group tend to dress in D.C. As compared to the West Coast where I grew up. Even on a late night around campus I have yet to see anyone walking around in shorts and a T-shirt. This difference stands out from many of the schools I visited or had stayed overnight in the West Coast. Our class discussion brought out the fact that not only the social environment someone grows up in play a role, but also one’s family and environment influences how a person dresses, speaks, or behaves from location to location.

Tuesday’s class was a great experience for me to be taken from my role as the student and put into the front of the class in PTJ’s seat as the “leader” of the class. From my perspective I was trying to watch how many of the students looked away from me and still glanced toward PTJ for guidance regarding what to do next. It easily could have been out of respect for the lesson being taught or “playing along” with the simulation, but nonetheless the classroom dynamics did change when I was at the center of the room. I believed because I held the light saber that everyone did look to me in order to be called on to speak. A constructivist would argue that it is possible to change the perceptions of people in a situation similar to this one as we did in class; nonetheless, it was still a stretch for us as students to break our mindset of PTJ’s role as the professor.

The constructivist IR theory that we analyzed on Thursday rejects the basic assumption of the neo-realist theory that the state of anarchy (lack of a higher authority or government) is a structural condition inherent in the system of states. Rather, it argues, in Alexander Wendt's words, that 'Anarchy is what states make of it'. That is, anarchy is a condition of the system of states because states in some sense 'choose' to make it so. Anarchy is the result of a process that constructs the rules or norms that govern the interaction of states. Thus, constructivist theory holds that it is possible to change or alter the anarchic nature of the system of states.

In our alien simulation, the advice a constructivist would give is for the United States to approach the aliens not with hostility,fear, or anger, but rather approach the aliens with professionalism and acceptance in order to have the aliens return the same behavior to the United States. However, I strongly agree with the class when we discussed to need for the United States to have all major defense organizations on alert and ready to respond if need be. Even though the United States would want to appear welcoming and non-violent, it is important to have reinforcement to act immediately if violence should occur.

Communication with other countries is extremely important in this scenario. Just because the ship landed in Washington D.C does not mean that the United States should disregard communication to other countries. Establishing communication and the unification of other countries when a crisis occurs is important for the protection of the entire population. On our visit to the European Union this week it was interesting to hear about the history of the EU and their goal to establish peace by unifying countries with entirely different cultures under a common cause. The EU is a great example of Wendt’s belief that it is possible to alter the attitudes and social normality's of states. The adoption of the euro alone was an idea that today still amazes many economists about its success in establishing trade and monetary protection of it’s members. While the European Union still has flaws, its overall success serves as a great example of the constructivist IR theory in influencing the nature of states through strong leadership and a common cause of peace and protection with others.