Task – ‘Open-source’ task. Theory – 10 point task – a ‘Open-source’ task. Find/identify main postulates of given great thinker/scholar [from Martin Griffiths

nicholas onuf
Nicholas Onuf is an American International Relations (IR) scholar who is known for his contributions to the constructivist approach to IR. Some of his main postulates are:

1. 
   Constructivism: Onuf argues that ideas, norms, and values are key drivers of state behavior and international relations. He argues that state actions are shaped by collective beliefs and norms that are constructed over time.
   
2. 
   World of Our Making: Onuf introduced the concept of the "World of Our Making" which refers to the idea that international society is constructed by state actors and their norms, values, and beliefs.
   
3. 
   State Sovereignty: Onuf critiques the traditional Westphalian understanding of state sovereignty and argues that state sovereignty is not a fixed or absolute concept but is instead a product of evolving norms and practices.
   

Illustrations of events/cases in IR that demonstrate Onuf's postulates:

1. 
   The establishment of the United Nations (UN): The creation of the UN after World War II demonstrates the power of norms and values in shaping the behavior of states. Onuf argues that the UN was created as a result of a shared belief in the need for international cooperation and the desire to prevent another world war.
   
2. 
   The collapse of the Soviet Union: The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 is a demonstration of how norms and values can change and evolve over time. Onuf argues that the Soviet system was based on a set of norms and values that were no longer widely accepted and that the collapse of the Soviet Union was a result of a shift in collective beliefs.
   
3. 
   The rise of human rights as a global norm: The rise of human rights as a global norm is a demonstration of the power of ideas and norms in shaping state behavior. Onuf argues that the increasing importance of human rights in international relations is a result of a change in collective beliefs about the importance of individual rights and freedoms.