individual rights. At the same time, the declaration questions the universal nature of human rights by asserting that rights should be considered asculturally relative, therefore putting them under state control. In view of these features, it seems pertinent to consider why when the affluent Western world is advocating liberalism and democracy as a means to the successful development of both economy and society, the South East Asians states chose their own formula for economic advancement and societal security.
             At the heart of the vigorous promotion of Asian Values lies both economic and cultural reasoning. For the South East Asian states, political and civil rights are viewed as a hindrance to economic progress. According to Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, paternalistic and arguably oppressive government is justifiable on the grounds of economic gain. Here the proponents of Asian Values are suspicious of Western criticism, seeing it as an attempt to slow down Asian economic growth with Human Rights and democracy. Similarly, advocates of the Asian Values stance underline the cultural uniqueness of the region. They see Western values as being inapplicable to Asian society due to historical differences and look to their own traditions for guidance. For example, in Singapore, the government has appealed to Confucianism and the authoritarianism they believe to be implicit within this tradition as a guide for society. Moreover, those who promote Asian Values do so on the grounds that they ensure social harmony, not the social decay seen in the West as a result of individualism.
             Likewise, it is also possible to view the advocacy of Asian Values as a wider anti Western statement, highlighting their wish to free themselves from the last vestiges of colonial power and betraying the bitterness felt towards this colonial era. Tatsuo. In the words of Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian deputy Prime Minister, "to allow ourselves to...