The Politics of Constructionism

A broad ranging and critical overview of the many themes of social constructionism and its relevance to contemporary social and political issues. Links the discourse of constructionism to the wider social and political world and demonstrates that social science is enriched by postmodernism. This broad-ranging and clearly structured book critically overviews the many themes of social constructionism and its relevance to contemporary social and political issues. It brings together leading international contributors from across the social sciences, drawing on insights from psychology, sociology, politics, philosophy, cultural, gender and science studies. Major questions and topics explored in its critique and application of constructionist ideas include the theory and practice of scientific method, the development of social and political policy, the use of social science statistical methods, self-identity and the politics of collective identities, and technological advances in reproductive medicine.