Article Review: “Constructivism, identity and neoliberal (in) security”
Article Review
This paper examines the practical nature of the security practices of nation-states. Of great importance is the examination of the relationship between national security and the global capitalist economy. Nations, such as the US, are committed to extending their economic and political power by participating in free trade and free markets1. Contrary to the need to realize the national security objectives, the aspect of realizing the objectives of achieving the objectives that come with global economic growth is subject to contradict with those of realizing enhanced national security. This brings in the subject of defining state identity and the constructed structures that might affect or support national security. To neoliberals, global associations such as free trade and free market leads to greater interdependence thereby jeopardizing the hopes of realizing national security. However, constructivist ideas base their arguments regarding the participation of nations in the global economy on defining the state identity and state interest, and thereafter, relating them to security issues2. Varadarajan illustrates the application of these ideas in the analysis of the Indian nuclear tests of 1998, and relating the relationship of the global economy to the constructive features of state identity.
The analysis of this article shows that a nation’s participation in global economics is associated with particular implications on the security practices of nation states. Varadarajan argues that constructivist ideologies tend to ignore the constitutive effects of the global economy on state identities. Therefore, what is needed is the identification of specific legacies to help in managing the relationship of state identity, the outcome of its productive effects, and the relationship with the global economy3. The author concludes that a similar analysis done in India could be conducted in other nations with the aim of understanding the security practices. He argues that, there is no doubt, global economic practices play a significant role in defining the identities of nation-states.
Bibliography
Varadarajan, Latha. “Constructivism, identity and neoliberal (in) security”. Review of
International Studies, 30 (2004): 319-341
