Nonetheless, Rousseau is clearly and openly constructivist. At the same time, his constructiv is neither liberal nor realist but, rather, psychological at root, with ingroup-outgroup dynamics and individuals at the center of the analysis. Constructivists will benefit from the lessons of political psychology that are con- tained in this volume regarding the microfoundations of identity, beliefs, and social behavior. Rousseau’s analysis confirms the need for more dialogue between the ideational allies of political psychology and constructiv Both groups of scholars offer an ontology of optimism about change that contrasts with the pessimism of realists, and both groups offer a more social and realistic depiction of politics that contrasts with rational choice and economic models of man. The fact that rationalist and realist models continue to return to the well of preferences and identity testifies to the significance of such variables and of paradigms established to address such variables.