Asian Values and Clash of the Cultures
Asian values and clash of the cultures"In the early 1990s, Europe watched enviously as the Asian Tigers grew exponentially. We asked ourselves: what lessons can Europe learn from Asia? After the crash, the question was reversed: what lessons can Asia learn from Europe? "(http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/news/patten/speech_00_278.htm, Speech by Chris Patten, Seoul, 20 July 2000)Western newspapers, radio and television stations, research institutes and universities have had much more to say about Asian values lately than Asian themselves. And usually it isn't in positive context. The idea of an "Asian Values" is actually very new. National traditions have been strong and rooted in peoples' perceptions. But the sense of a regional identity and shared heritage is a notion of today.Recently many Asian countries have started to praise "Asian Values". There is many reasons for that but the strongest one have to be that they feel threatened by the sudden influence of Western culture and demands for democratisation and liberalisation as a result of their economic expansion. Though we have to remember that different kinds of anti-western attitudes, especially towards Europe has occurred since the en
The virtues are (1) absence of intolerance (Akrodha), (2) compassion or fellow feeling (Bhutadaya, Adreba), (3) knowledge (Jnana, Vidya), (4) freedom from thought and conscience (Satya, sumta) and (5) freedom from fear and frustration or despair (Pravrtti, Abhaya Dhrti). There are various reasons for democratisation to take time. Asian countries been suffering from those problems but it does have nothing to do with the Asian values. In fact, there is no such thing as "Asian values" and the best dynamic for ensuring greater representation in Asia isn't a human rights campaign but Asia's own appetite for capitalist entrepreneurship. pdf)The developing nations of East Asia believe that without development, freedom is irrelevant, and without strong state guidance, development will never come. In his survey, he found that six societal values most prominent amongst the East Asians were first, having an orderly society; second, societal harmony; third, ensuring the accountability of public officials; fourth, being open to new ideas; fifth, freedom of expression; and sixth, respect for authority. Those values are usually associated with Confucianism. "(PNS commentator Thi Lam, http://www. Asian, especially East Asian democracies differ from this rather romanticised democratic ideal. Some other Asians believe that because Asia is so big and heterogeneous there is no set of values, which are shared by all Asians. The freedoms are: (1) freedom from violence (Ahimsa), (2) freedom from want (Asteya), (3) freedom from exploitation (Aparigraha), (4) freedom from violation and dishonour (Avyabhichara) and (5) freedom from early death and disease (Armitetra and Aregya). Not all Asian values are good values just as not all Western values are good values. After these accusations Asian countries have been keen on reminding the USA and European countries from their human rights record. html)So, at least it would be reasonable to argue that human rights are universal.
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