Higher education in Asian countries and the role of international ...

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international organizations and the extent of international cooperation that is possible through
these bodies. There are many branches of this school, which are based on the realistic thoughts
and explore different aspects of the philosophy of creation and existence of IGOs.
3.4.1.1 Classical realism
Classical realism or human realism maintains that states are the major and significant actors in
international politics and every state function as a unified and autonomous entity. Political
construction of the states is the reflection of human nature. State‟s pursuit for power depends
upon the basic nature of human beings who act as power maximizers where ideology and other
tangible and intangible factors may also contribute to the power of a sate in an international
system. According to realist theory, IGOs have a limited role to play in challenging this power
tug war because these bodies cannot change the anarchical structure of the international system.
Rather, IGOs are simply used by powerful states to implement their own power politics more
effectively and to pursue their self-interest (Morgenthau & Thompson, 1985). In this context the
institutionalization, function and effectiveness of IGOs linked with the existence of an authority
that holds great influential power resources; a legal domination and force to implement it. In this
regard the effectiveness of IGOs depends upon the active role played by key players and as well
as the rise and fall of major states.
3.4.1.2 Neo-realism or structural realism
Neo-realism theory took birth in post world war era and it was further developed by Kenneth
Waltz in 1970s. This theory assumes the premises of classical realism but at the same time it
attempts more separation and segregation from this theory (Gilpin, 1981). According to this
theory, states seek to survive within an anarchical system and the international or regional
structure acts as a constraint on state behavior, consequently those states whose outcomes fall
within an expected range, power balancing, survive and progress. In this endeavor, power
balancing is not the aim but is a product of the aim to survive.
According to the neo-realists IGOs are not self-driven actors but the anarchical structure of the
international system dictates the maximization of relative influence of great powers; IGOs are
largely ineffective and meaningless actors, which work for great powers or dominant states only.
Furthermore dominant states ensure that other states or actors do not benefit more from
cooperation in international organizations than they do themselves because absolute gains