Identifying threats and threatening identities : the social construction of realism and liberalism

How does a state determine if another state is an important military or economic threat? The issue of threat perception drives a wide variety of behaviors, from allegiance formation and defense spending to trade relations and regime membership. While liberal theorists and realists both agree that threat perception is a cornerstone of international relations, there is widespread disagreement on the factors that contribute to our fear of other states. In particular, the field is deeply divided between those who believe material factors such as the balance of military power determine the perception of threat and those who believe ideational factors such as shared democratic value determine the perception of threat. Using a variety of social scientific methods of investigation ranging from laboratory experiments and public opinion surveys to computer simulations and case studies, Rousseau challenges these conventional arguments and sheds new light on this debate. He presents a model of identity formation that can explain when ideas will (and will not) have a decisive impact on threat perception. How Does A State Determine If Another State Is An Important Military Or Economic Threat? The Issue Of Threat Perception Drives A Wide Variety Of Behaviors, From Alliance Formation And Defense Spending To Trade Relations And Regime Membership. Although Liberal Theorists And Realists Both Agree That Threat Perception Is A Cornerstone Of International Relations, There Is Widespread Disagreement On The Factors That Contribute To Our Fear Of Other States. In Particular, The Field Is Deeply Divided Between Those Who Believe That Material Factors Such As The Balance Of Military Power Determine The Perception Of Threat And Those Who Believe That Ideational Factors Such As Shared Democratic Values Determine The Perception Of Threat. Using A Variety Of Social Scientific Methods Of Investigation Ranging From Laboratory Experiments And Public Opinion Surveys To Computer Simulations And Case Studies, David L. Rousseau Challenges These Conventional Arguments And Sheds New Light On This Debate. He Presents A Model Of Identity Formation That Can Explain When Ideas Will (and Will Not) Have A Decisive Impact On Threat Perception.--jacket. Introduction : Identities And Threats -- Identities And Threats In Realism And Liberalism -- The Constructivist Challenge -- Bridging Levels : The Construction Of Threat Model -- Individual Level : Experimental Analyses Of Identity Construction -- State And International Levels : A Simulation Of The Diffusion Of Identity -- Identity And Threat Perception : A Cross-national Case Study Of The Rise Of China -- Conclusions. David L. Rousseau. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [245]-262) And Index. Using a variety of social scientific methods of investigation ranging from laboratory experiments and public opinion surveys to computer simulations and case studies, Rousseau untangles the complex relationship between social identity and threat perception between states.