The category "Other" in the sociology of international relations and its variations in the US foreign policy strategy
The article considers the category "Other" in constructivism as one of the most important areas of the sociology of international relations. Constructivism focuses not on national interests, but on identities - peculiar "Self-concepts", developed by one state in relation to others. The dynamics of perception of the "Other" can be realized in two models: tolerant - "Self-Other-Different"; intolerant - "Self-Other-Stranger-Enemy". In the latter case, the image of "the Other" is used by the ruling elite to justify the use of "hard power", so it is often deliberately distorted. The rejection of the identity and behavior of the "Other" is one of the causes of international conflicts. At the same time, the intolerant model allows solving not only foreign policy but also internal political tasks. There is a rallying of the population, a positive attitude towards the government and the political course, that it implements, is formed. That is, in the face of an external enemy, national and state identity is strengthened. In other words, there is an intensification of one's own identity by affirming the negative image of "the Other". This approach is most clearly traced in the policy of the United States of America. In this connection, the author analyzes the negative (intolerant) variations of "the Other" in documents that determine the direction of American foreign policy.