Critiques of Social Constructionism. Firstly, one critique of Social Constructionism, is that due to all perspectives of reality having the potential to be equally true, and one cannot be said to be more truthful or accurate than the other, it might undermine minority positions (Fopp, 2008). This is due to what can be ‘true’ at a point in time, often reflecting the perspectives of those in more privileged positions through their influence and power (Xxxxxxxx, M and Xxxxx, 2000; Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx. 2007; Galbin, 2014), and within this they are often perpetuating discourses that are more beneficial to themselves (Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx, 2004; Xxxx and Xxxx, 2017). Often this is through language, which can be used to legitimise the power within people and organisations (Alvesson and Xxxxx, 2000; Xxxxxxxx and Green. 2004). However, to counter this, by having equally true realities, it could provide the stage for other minority or marginalised positions to be heard, as since now all realities are equal, one cannot be said to be superior to the other (Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx, 2007). This stems from a Foucauldian understanding around discourses and knowledge truths not being governed by the author but being constantly recreated by each of the readers (Xxxxxx, 2007). In reference to the conservation sector, (Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, and Xxxxxxxx, 2005) a social constructionist approach can legitimise existing patterns of environmental degradation. If the same community or political party is making the environmental decisions year after year, and if reality is socially constructed by the group making the decisions, it is unlikely that decisions are going to alter much and so this reinforces previous decisions and maintains the status quo. Hence the radical change aspect of Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx, (1979) Sociological Paradigms. For example, the material reality of climate change and melting glaciers, being denied by certain socially constructed realities, and so action is hindered. This is particularly damaging for the conservation sector, who need swift action based on appropriate knowledge (Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx, 2006). As mentioned above, my understanding around multiple realities within Social Constructionism, is that whilst there can be multiple conflicting realities based on individuals’ history and socio- economic backgrounds (Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx, 2000), there is also a material reality which these realities can be based upon (Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx, 2000). This material reality is possibly based upon the dominant dis...
