A Theoretical Analysis

The identity problematique is fast moving to the core of the research agenda of international relations discipline, and the concept of state identity has now become a permanent feature of the constructivist discourse. This paper identifies four problems attendant upon the introduction of the state identity con-cept to international relations theory. Firstly, the relationship between state identity and other important concepts of constructivist argument is underspecified. Secondly, the question of how states choose among multiple identities is not sufficiently addressed by constructivists. Thirdly, the concept of state identity has been rather slow to find its way into empirical research and is still largely ignored by the rationalist scholars. Finally, the link between state identities and power tends to be neglected by both constructivist scholars and their rationalist rivals. In addressing these problems, the paper clarifies the relationship between state identity, culture and norms and provides a systematic review of the state iden-tity approaches. The paper proposes a new definition of the concept that is compatible with the rational-ist foundations of the mainstream of international relations discipline. It illuminates the role of state identity as a tool in the strategic interaction among states, and provides several examples to illustrate the close relationship between state identities and power. Since power is the key explanatory concept for many rationalist approaches, the paper argues that the concept of state identity also deserves to be an important part of rationalist analytical frameworks. 1