TJP

Language is often used to socially construct reality. That is, to actively create and shape the world through social interactions. Social construct exist because people knowingly agree to act as if they exist.

Social construction theory explains how this formation of reality helps humankind achieve certain ends. For instance, by constructing a reality that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction helped the Bush administration obtain congressional approval for going to war, because congress, the press, and the American public acted as if the assertion by administration that weapons of mass destruction truly existed in Iraq was true.

Today, republican presidential candidates are still constructing reality based on fear. They would have us believe that Iran is an attacking nation. However, historical record proves the contrary; who has Iran attack or invaded in the last 50 years?

Social construct has been used to marginalized minorities, to enslave Africans, to intern Japanese citizens, to demonize Mexicans, to subjugate women, and so on.

Many Americans, however, continue adhere to social constructs built by politicians and the media. It appears as if their individual analysis of national and world events occur with a significant lag. For instance, it has taken many Americans over four years to decipher the Bush administration.

The language being used by many republican presidential candidates on Iran is similar to the language used by the administration before the ill-conceived Iraq invasion. Thus, republican presidential candidates, except for Congressman Ron Paul, construction of reality appears to be a continuation of the Bush administration policies.