The Social Construction of Winston Churchill: How Life Experiences Shaped the Identity of a Wartime Legend

While the theory of social constructivism in international relations may not be the most common, it has appeared in different forms throughout the twentieth century and has gained popularity in recent years. Focusing on the formation of - and potential for change in - identities and interests, constructivism allows for the consideration of both ideational and behavioral factors in studying actors of the international community. Pairing these concepts with principles from both social identity theory and political psychology, one can observe the constructivist development of identities and interests of a political individual, such as Winston Churchill. Churchill\u27s unique life experience shaped him into a man, a politician, and a leader unprecedented for his time, enabling him to guide his nation and the Allies through the Second World War with great influence and success