1. Introduction -- 2. Identity change? Wendt's constructivism and German military involvement abroad -- 3. Intersubjectivity and the normative: Kratochwil's constructivism and German military involvement abroad -- 4. Words and world: Onuf's constructivism and German military involvement abroad -- 5. The politics of 'reality': Derrida's subversions, constructivism and German military involvement abroad -- 6. The politics of constructivism