The Constructivist Approach to the Study of International Law

International law and international relations are closely linked in origin and studies of these two disciplines are interdependent and mutually beneficial. In recent theorization about international relations,three equally strong approaches have been proposed,i.e. constructivism,neo-realism and neo-liberalism. This paper argues that the theory of constructivism has enjoyed an organic interaction with the study of international law. On the one hand,scholars have drawn upon,and have been inspired by,the theory and practice of international law in their efforts to theorize constructivism. On the other hand,the constructivist approach which is based on reflective epistemology has proved to be a brand-new way of analysis in the study of international law in both ontological and methodological terms.