SOCI370/Asian Values and the West Claims to Uniqueness

Paragraph 1- 5: Kristy Ng

What type of ideas come to mind when one mentions asian values? As Sen points out in his piece, Asia is home to 60% of the world population; it would make sense for such a large population to have a diversified set of values. But often individuals don’t acknowledge the differences but rely heavily on perpetuated stereotypes from East Asia. This mainly includes values from places like Japan, China, Vietnam, and Korea to name a few. While culture does tend to intersect in some aspects, overgeneralizing would be “crude”. Often by disregarding the differences, individuals are simultaneously dismissing the importance of the people who live through the culture and the history behind it.

So why do we enforce these stereotypes in society, in Sen’s first paragraph, he mentions that asian values are being used for justification by authoritarian political arrangements. We can see here that the values highlighted fit aligned to the dominant powers. Do you have any examples of recent politics that enforce these values?

[Comment - Diana]: I believe it's not only Asia that is generalized but a lot of other countries and culture other than the U.S are generalized too (such as, indigenous culture, Mexican, African, etc.). We enforce these stereotypes because it is easier to homogenize and apply the same knowledge and information to the rest of the members in the group. Thus, such generalizations are repeated and reproduced through both soft and hard power and steeped into ideologies

The Contemporary West and Claims to Uniqueness - Jessica Yang

Paragraphs 6-11

Sen begins this section by talking about how the West often imposes their Western-Centric views of what they consider as the 'better' governmental structures on other non liberal democratic societies such as Asia. This perception of their own superiority places pressure on other countries to also enrol and adopt the same views of admiration in what is considered the "traditional Western values". Much like the ways in which European colonialists imposed Eurocentric ideas of 'superior' societal structures onto the Indigenous people in Canada, the West aims to influence the ways in which Asian and African countries can also evolve to a more 'advanced' and more 'desired' societal structure. As a result, Western societies often declare their democratic society is one of uniqueness in which rights of personal freedom, diversity, and equality for all is protected within the constitution and valued throughout society. Sen goes on to examine the difference between personal freedom and equality of freedom, as well as tolerance and equality of tolerance for the foundation of all of these values can be found in early writings such as that of Aristotle although the aspect of equality is mostly missing. However, Sen argues that these 'unique' qualities have also existed within Asian cultures, namely Buddhist teachings which emphasizes the importance of freedom and free will. Sen also reminds the reader that although Confucianism places much value in order and discipline (as emphasized by the West), it is however not the only cultural traditions and teachings followed in Asia. This is particularly interesting considering the recent events of Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau's trip to China and meeting with the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jingping. One of the main topics discussed between the two parties was the issue of human rights as Trudeau have criticized China to be lacking, and urging China "to do more" in the protection of its citizens' human rights and freedom. This is a clear example of the ways in which the West seeks to influence other parts of the world to follow its the more dominantly accepted model of governing.

Globalization: Economics, Culture and Rights - Celina Cheung

Paragraphs 22-28

Democracy among cultural matters in globalization remain a struggle with Western cultures and lifestyles dominating the way of people’s social lives in the society. Sen believes that the contemporary world is too influenced by the Western ideology and is at a all time high when it comes to the idea of Western culture and social aspects. Native cultures are slowly becoming a threat in the society today that thrives for globalization because of the power Western cultures have in cultural and social aspects of the society. Striving for economic exchange and division of labour remains a challenge because of technological expansions promoting modern technology as a technique for competition economically. The main idea of computer use is a key concept in this part especially because the internet influences the lives of people with the increase in technical changes. There remains 2 distinct problems with the huge spread in the skills of using computers. The first problem is that people live in a modern world where communication and training to have this technological skill is key but developing and poor countries may not have access to afford to use this kind of technology, let alone learn how to use it in order for cultural and economic opportunities in a world today where they thrive for a rise in globalization. The second problem is the economic readjustment where technological advancement can take over machineries and other forms of production so culture disappears because of the development and importance on the use of the internet.

This section can be related to a contemporary social issue because the world today does promote globalization, especially with technological advancements and the use of the internet which has taken over the social lives of everyone in this century but there are issues on internet use and how Western cultures do dominate society. For example, on the internet, people usually promote Western holidays like labour day, Thanksgiving or Christmas Day but holidays in the Chinese culture like dragon boat festival are not really known to those in the Western society because there is lack in promoting other culture’s traditions and ideas. This remains a problem in how society is living in a world where Western cultures and ideologies are still increasing and is predominate as ever.

Globalization: Economics, Culture and Rights' - Rita(Qiao) Li

Paragraphs 29-34

One particular society has its own right to decided what to abandon and what to preserve. However, different sections of the society from all across the social categories should be given the chance to participate in public discussions, regarding what to preserve or what to abandon. This is the way of how society expresses “justice”. And, in order for everyone to participate, people all need to know the basic skills, such as reading and writing. They also need to get a chance to know more information from free media. This can be linked to a particular social phenomenon: in many democratic countries, the decision-making on important issues are dependent on their people’s will(mostly through vote). It is good to see that almost every citizen gets the same right to decide. However, for those people who don’t have the basic skills, they would not have the ability to read and write and thus understand the main content of the issues. (Like in Canada, those indigenous people, they are lacking behind and getting fewer chances to learn about these skills. The nation needs to pay more attention to them) If the society totally ignores these people’s will and decisions, so the considerations being incorporated into the decision-making would not be complete. It is essential to include everyone’s thinking and not putting all the efforts on listening to people in power. Again, the varied voices from different societies are especially important.

Islamic Tolerance - Anisha Bains

Paragraphs 14-16

Sen points out the stereotype of Middle Eastern societies being perceived as being oppressed. However, he notes that there is diversity within the culture. He continues with the notion that despite the West believing that they are the sole society that believes in tolerance, it is within all cultures; along with freedom. The West does not have a monopoly upon tolerance. The West's view of Asian values are based upon a selective experiences or hearsay. Sen exemplifies his assertions by showing Middle Eastern Asians showing tolerance to other cultures in various (Non-West) parts of the world. Do you agree with Sen that our idea of Asian authoritarian tendencies come from us simply being in the West and believing we are prime examples of being tolerant?