Theory of Constructed Oppression

The analysis that systemic oppression (like racism, sexism, homophobia) is not merely the sum of individual prejudices, but is a social reality constructed through laws, institutions, language, and norms. These systems create hierarchies, define who is "normal" or "other," and distribute rights and violence accordingly. Oppression is the active, ongoing work of maintaining these constructions, which then shape individuals' lives and choices within them.

Example: "Jim Crow wasn't just a bunch of racist people; it was the Theory of Constructed Oppression made concrete. It was built from 'separate but equal' laws (a legal construction), segregated infrastructure, and a cultural narrative of white supremacy. The oppression was in the architecture of bathrooms, schools, and voting booths, making bias into a tangible, inescapable system."

by Abzu Land January 31, 2026

Theory of Constructed Determinism

The idea that belief systems like genetic, economic, or technological determinism—the notion that our fate is rigidly set by biology, class, or machines—are themselves powerful social constructions. By persuading people that outcomes are inevitable and systems cannot be changed, these theories become self-fulfilling prophecies that maintain the status quo. The construction of determinism is a tool to discourage agency and alternatives.

Example: "The CEO said, 'The market demands layoffs; we have no choice.' That's the Theory of Constructed Determinism. 'The market' is a constructed abstraction, but by framing its demands as an immutable natural law, he constructs a reality where his profitable choice appears as an inevitable force, absolving him of responsibility for the human cost."

by Abzu Land January 31, 2026

Theory of Constructed Relativism

The meta-concept that relativism itself—the idea that truth and morality are not absolute but relative to culture or perspective—is a constructed intellectual framework that emerged in specific historical and academic contexts. It's not the "default" view of reality; it's a built tool for critiquing absolutism and colonialism. Its widespread adoption (or rejection) is a social phenomenon, showing how even our philosophies about truth are constructions of their time.

*Example: "My professor dismissed a moral critique by saying, 'That's just your Western perspective.' I hit him with the Theory of Constructed Relativism: 'Isn't your radical relativism also a product of 20th-century postmodern academia? You're using one constructed lens (relativism) to dismiss another (universal rights), pretending your lens is just the clear sky.'"*

by Abzu Land January 31, 2026

Theory of Constructed Law

A deeper cut than "Constructed Legal Systems": this focuses on the fact that the very concept of "law" as a binding, abstract set of rules administered by a sovereign state is a human invention. It contrasts with other systems of order like custom, tradition, or religious edict. The authority of law is not innate; it is constructed through continuous performance in courts, police actions, and collective obedience.

Example: "A king's decree was law because he said so. A constitution's amendment is law because a process defined by the constitution itself says so. The Theory of Constructed Law shows that the source of law's power is always circular: it's powerful because we've all agreed to treat this particular constructed text or process as the source of power. Law is the ultimate 'because I said so' game that an entire society agrees to play."

by Abzu Land January 31, 2026

Theory of Constructed Dynamics

The view that the perceived "energy" or "flow" of social situations—momentum in a movement, tension in a room, stability in an institution—is not a mystical force but is built from countless micro-actions, shared perceptions, and feedback loops. The "dynamic" is an emergent property constructed by the participants in real-time through their words, silences, body language, and adherence to unspoken scripts.

Example: "The meeting had a 'toxic dynamic.' The Theory of Constructed Dynamics says that wasn't a fog in the air. It was built minute-by-minute: the manager's dismissive sighs, the team's hesitant silence after a failed joke, the way side-conversations validated frustration. The dynamic was a fragile, co-constructed artifact, as buildable (and breakable) as a house of cards."

by Abzu Land January 31, 2026

Theory of Constructed Complexities

The argument that many systems we call "complex" (global finance, climate models, bureaucratic states) are not inherently complex like a rainforest. Their complexity is designed and accrued through layers of rules, exceptions, intermediaries, and jargon. This constructed complexity often serves as a barrier to entry, a shield for those inside the system, and a source of power for the "experts" who can navigate it. It's complicated by design.

Example: "Filing taxes isn't complex like quantum physics; it's complex like a board game where someone keeps adding new rules to benefit themselves. The Theory of Constructed Complexities shows the tax code's difficulty isn't natural; it's the result of decades of lobbying for loopholes and exemptions. The complexity constructs a moat around wealth, requiring expensive accountants (the wizards of the moat) to cross."

by Abzu Land January 31, 2026

Theory of Constructed Simplicities

The counterpoint to constructed complexities: the observation that powerful, appealing "simple" narratives ("Make America Great Again," "Follow the Science," "It's the Economy, Stupid") are themselves careful constructions. They are built by stripping away nuance, context, and contradiction to create a clear, mobilizing story. This simplicity is a rhetorical tool, not a reflection of a simple world, and its construction is key to its political or social power.

Example: "The slogan 'Defund the Police' is a masterclass in the Theory of Constructed Simplicities. It condensed a vast, nuanced policy argument about reallocating resources and reimagining public safety into a potent, three-word construction. Its power and its liability came from the same source: it was a simple hammer built for a complex nail, designed to shatter existing frames of thought."

by Abzu Land January 31, 2026