Question

What aspect of environmental issues do contructivists tend to be most interested in?

O They stress the material costs of addressing environmental issues at the international level.
O They tend to focus on how elites define environmental problems and how those definitions change over time as new ideas and beliefs arise and become norms.
O They argue that environmental problems show the importance of strategic interdependence among states.
O Constructivism has little to say about environmental issues.

Answer 1

Constructivists are most interested in how elites define environmental problems and how the understanding and norms regarding these issues change over time within the international community. They emphasize the normative aspects of environmental issues that shape state behavior and international policy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Define environmental problems:

Constructivists focus on how elites define environmental problems and how those definitions evolve over time as new ideas and beliefs emerge and become norms. This focus is rooted in their broader perspective that shared conceptions of the world and power dynamics lead to shared norms which, in turn, shape state behavior and international relations.

The constructivist interest in environmental issues is particularly concerned with the role of ideas, beliefs, and norms in shaping how environmental issues are understood and addressed at the international level. They see environmental problems not purely in material terms but as a function of social constructs and the interplay of global actors. As norms change and new environmental ideas take hold, states and international institutions adapt, which in turn can lead to shifts in policy and practice with regards to environmental management and sustainability.