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

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translate into loss of powers if international cooperation is linked to relatively superior gains for
other states (Grieco, 1993). IGOs can only contribute better to international development if
powerful or dominant state/s is ready to cooperate by becoming a part of that organization and
share the gain or loss with other participating states, which in reality does not exist.
3.4.2 Liberalism
Liberalism is a political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of
the individual, and favoring civil and political liberties and protection from arbitrary authority
(The American Heritage Dictionary). Basically it is a political and economic doctrine: human
rights, freedoms of the individual and limited powers of government are good. Immanuel Kant
and Baron De Montesquieu were the pioneers who applied liberalism theory to understand
international politics.
Liberalists have a simple and positive idea that people, countries, and organization can work
together for progress, prosperity and peace. Liberalist views international relations as
cooperative and constructive efforts between countries and governments to help disadvantaged
nations and to promote global welfare. Modern liberalism supports both state and non-state
relations to promote global peace and improve the political, economic and social situations
around the world (Burchill, 2001). According to liberalism theory organizations play
constructive and effective role, at national and international levels, in shaping and the
international landscape and to achieve mutual goals. Furthermore IGOs harness cooperation
between states, which is helpful in achieving IGOs goals. Likewise liberalist also give due
importance to individuals as they may influence states and organizations. Liberalists maintain
that IGOs work with other international institutions also this promotes networking and
collaboration that ultimately strengthen IGOs and help to achieve common goals.
3.4.3 Idealism
Idealists believe in the effectiveness of ideas. The philosophy of idealism is based on the theory
that the external world must be understood through consciousness not through experience. The
idealist believes that thoughts are prior to actions, and that the mental or cognitive world is more
important than the material world. So in the realm of idealism the reality exists only in the mind
whereas the experience is considered as a mental activity. This proposition is in direct contrast to
the theory of realism, which holds that things exist independently of our perception and reality is