THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR: A CONSTRUCTIVIST DECONSTRUCTION OF CONFLICT

Abstract

The Syrian Civil War, a seemingly intractable conflict with devastating global consequences, demands a nuanced understanding that transcends a simplistic narrative of power struggle. The constructivist lens offers a valuable framework for deconstructing the war’s complexities. Constructivism posits that identities, interests, and even the international order itself are not preordained realities, but rather socially constructed through shared meanings and interpretations. This study contends that adopting a constructivist perspective provides a beneficial framework for evaluating the Syrian crisis. Examining the crisis through this lens reveals how these constructed elements shaped state behavior and the dynamics of the war. Constructivist interplay moves beyond a simplistic power struggle narrative, highlighting the role of ideas, identities, and evolving international norms in driving the conflict and shaping international responses.