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

43
(1988) “institutions are described by neoliberals as persistent and connected sets of rules (formal
or informal) that prescribe behavioral roles, constrain activity, and shape expectations.”
3.4.5 Other schools
There are many other schools also, which can be helpful in understanding the formation, function
and behavior of intergovernmental organizations.
3.4.5.1 Cognitivism
Cognitivism maintains that institutions are the product of human mind and it is brain based
development rather than response to environment as maintained by behaviorism. Basically
cognitivism is an approach in understanding and explaining the function of institutions through
the study of mind of men who are the creator of whole international political system including
IGOs. Cognitivism does not refute behaviorism theory completely but rather an expansion by
accepting that mental states exist. Cognitivism encompasses all forms of realism, and as well as
anti-realism. This doctrine became a dominant force in the late-20th century. Cognitivists explain
the existence of IGOs by holding the premise that actors‟ behavior is not completely shaped by
only material interests but by the role that they play at national and international level. So the
past experience of actors plays an important role in defining the nature of IGOs. Cognitivists
typically try to support their position by seeking out analogies between moral discourse, on the
one hand, and scientific and everyday factual discourse, on the other (Britannica Concise
Encyclopedia, 2011). Likewise the study of IGOs is incomplete without taking into account the
inter-subjectivity: IGOs have deep roots in the international social structure and are responsive to
change but based on rationality and morality.
3.4.5.2 Transnationalism
The word Trans-nationalism was coined by R.S. Bourne (1884-1918), it describes ever
increasing interaction of nations and continuously receding importance of state boundaries in
term of economic, cultural, social and human rights activities. In internationalism the
cooperation is at nation-state and government level while in trans-nationalism individuals,
groups, institutions and international actors all have specific roles to play. Trans-nationalists
often de-emphasize the state as primary and unitary actor in international scenario (Viotti, 1987),
and stress upon the more enhanced role of non-governmental organizations rather than IGOs in