Constructivism and Global Governance

This volume provides a clear, comprehensive introduction to social constructivism for use in making sense of global governance. By elucidating processes of social construction—how different actors come to be authoritative rule-makers, how diverse norms and practices come to define global rules, and how the clash of ideas and identities shape global rule-making—Ba and Hoffmann provide a useful approach for those seeking to grasp (or even steer) the processes and varied arrangements of global governance. 

This volume provides a clear, comprehensive introduction to social constructivism for use in making sense of global governance. By elucidating processes of social construction—how different actors come to be authoritative rule-makers, how diverse norms and practices come to define global rules, and how the clash of ideas and identities shape global rule-making—Ba and Hoffmann provide a useful approach for those seeking to grasp (or even steer) the processes and varied arrangements of global governance. 

The book:

• introduces the basics of constructivism - its intellectual lineage, modern development and objections that are raised to constructivist analysis
• demonstrates how constructivism assists in answering the key question What counts as global governance?
• examines a variety of governing arrangements and practices through a constructivist lens (domination, transnational steering, regional rule-making, and multilateral diplomacy)
• Offers a constructivist research agenda for global governance

Providing concrete illustrations throughout to highlight constructivism’s utility for explaining specific global governance phenomena this work will be essential reading for all students of international organization and global governance.