<P> While the concept of anarchy is the foundation for realist, liberal, neorealist, and neoliberal international relations theories, constructivist theory disputes that anarchy is a fundamental condition of the international system . Alexander Wendt, the most influential modern constructivist thinker, is often quoted for writing, "Anarchy is what states make of it". That is to say, anarchy is not inherent in the international system in the way in which other schools of IR theory envision it, but rather it is a construct of the states in the system . At the core of constructivist thought is the idea that, contrary to the assumptions of neorealism and neoliberalism, many core aspects of international relations are socially constructed (they are given their form by ongoing processes of social practice and interaction), rather than inherent . Wendt lists the two basic tenets of constructivism as: </P> <Ul> <Li> The structures of human association are determined primarily by shared ideas rather than material forces </Li> <Li> The identities and interests of purposive actors are constructed by these shared ideas rather than given by nature </Li> </Ul> <Li> The structures of human association are determined primarily by shared ideas rather than material forces </Li> <Li> The identities and interests of purposive actors are constructed by these shared ideas rather than given by nature </Li>

What are some of the characteristics of states in the international system