Constructivism and the Role of International Norms and Identity in Conflict Resolution

Abstract

The preceding discussion lends itself to an analysis of the Israel-Palestine conflict from a critical theory perspective. Indeed, economic and material interests play a significant role in its perpetuation. However, global norms and identity factors have a critical, yet underrecognized, role in conflict resolution. Independent of strategic and material interests, global norms and identity factors have the capacity to determine states’ policies (Klotz, 1995a). The theoretical perspective from which this position is derived is termed “constructivism.” To date, constructivism has contributed little to the issue and insufficient attention has been paid to the potential of international norms and identity to contribute to the conflict’s resolution.