Iran's Development of Nuclear Weapons: a Realist and Constructivist Perspective
Iran’s Development of Nuclear Energy:
A Realist and Constructivist Perspective
Iran’s development of nuclear energy includes the advancement of nuclear technologies encompassing a uranium enrichment program and construction of facilities such as power reactors and heavy water reactors, which is subject to a thick haze of repudiation that incorporates an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigation (Kerr, 2014, pp. 1-3). The understanding of the abovementioned nuclear developments in Iran shift when integrating different lenses of international theories. This paper will demonstrate this manifestation with respect to the philosophy of classical realism and constructivism, such that, how realist models focus on power and security within the international system and constructivist models highlights questions of identity and its perception (Sherrill, 2012, p. 1).
To stipulate further, through a realist perspective, analysing the concept of the security dilemma and Iran’s national interests, especially with regard to how power and security establishes why the development of nuclear energy in Iran and the haze around it including its effect on other states is important power in the global community and that national security is extremely influential. Conversely, a constructivist would observe socially constructed identities with interests and rationality constitutive to each other that drive the motivation in this developmental avenue and establishes the importance of interaction between states and the strength of a state’s identity in formulating interests. The haziness that surrounds this program is socially constructed and is a direct reflection of the social overtones and confusion between Iran’s interests and identities and that of other states.
Realism is an ideological disposition informed by fundamental ideas, where, at its core accents the constraints produced by human nature and the notion of ‘the survival of the fittest’. This ultimately
A Realist and Constructivist Perspective
Iran’s development of nuclear energy includes the advancement of nuclear technologies encompassing a uranium enrichment program and construction of facilities such as power reactors and heavy water reactors, which is subject to a thick haze of repudiation that incorporates an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigation (Kerr, 2014, pp. 1-3). The understanding of the abovementioned nuclear developments in Iran shift when integrating different lenses of international theories. This paper will demonstrate this manifestation with respect to the philosophy of classical realism and constructivism, such that, how realist models focus on power and security within the international system and constructivist models highlights questions of identity and its perception (Sherrill, 2012, p. 1).
To stipulate further, through a realist perspective, analysing the concept of the security dilemma and Iran’s national interests, especially with regard to how power and security establishes why the development of nuclear energy in Iran and the haze around it including its effect on other states is important power in the global community and that national security is extremely influential. Conversely, a constructivist would observe socially constructed identities with interests and rationality constitutive to each other that drive the motivation in this developmental avenue and establishes the importance of interaction between states and the strength of a state’s identity in formulating interests. The haziness that surrounds this program is socially constructed and is a direct reflection of the social overtones and confusion between Iran’s interests and identities and that of other states.
Realism is an ideological disposition informed by fundamental ideas, where, at its core accents the constraints produced by human nature and the notion of ‘the survival of the fittest’. This ultimately
Bibliography: Adler, J. (1997). Seizing the Middle Groumd: Constructivism in World Politics. Europian Journal of International Relations, 319-363. Bozdaglioglu, Y. (2007). Constructivsm and Identity Formation: An Interactive Approach. Uluslararasi Hukuk ve Politika, 121-144. Donnelly, J. (2000). Realism and International Realism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). (2014). Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant provisions of Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Board of Directors. Kerr, P. K. (2014). Iran 's Nuclear Program: Tehran 's Compliance with International Obligations. Congressional Research Service. Mearsheimer, J. J. (2001). The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. New York and London: W W Norton & Company. Mostofi, K. (2013, 11 25). Iran. Retrieved from Britannica Encyclopaedia : http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/293359/Iran RT News Sagan, S. D. (1996). Why Do States Build Nuclear Weapons?: Three Models in Search of a Bomb. International Security, 54-86. Sherrill, C. W. (2012). Why Iran Wants the Bomb and What it Means for US Policy. Nonproliferation Review, 31-49. Tim Dunne, M. K. (2006). Structural Realism. In J. J. Mearsheimer, International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity (pp. 71--88). Oxford: Oxfrod University Press. Toft, P. (2005). John J. Mearsheimer: an offensive realist between geopolitics and power. Journal of International Relations and Development, 381-408.