ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces classification of social constructivism in the study of the European neighbourhood. Using the labels of thick and thin constructivism (I and II), it shows that how these types differ and how the theoretical perspectives influence the way in which the chapter looks at the neighbourhood. Thin constructivism I is the type of constructivism where the European Union (EU) remains a largely normative actor, whose aim is to spread its norms and values to its neighbourhood. The thin constructivism II, is the mirror image of thin constructivism I. This type of constructivism was first born in the study of EU enlargement. The several constructivist approaches are ideal types which never really exist in their pure forms. I. Manners claim that the evolution of the European neighbourhood policy can be best understood through other approaches, which are mostly post-positivist, notably social constructivism, post-structural theory and critical social theory.
