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The Interpretations and Practices of Asian Values--Singapore Case Study

Abstract
The rising of Asian values was spiritual and psychical revolution resulting from the confidence of some East Asian countries¡¦ considerable economic achievement. Asian values were also instinctive defense from losing self-personality or individual particularity in the process of modernization that to great extent means westernization whose relatively liberal elements or individualism may destabilize social harmony.
As a matter of fact, Asian values have close relation with some Asian country leaders¡¦ political challenges coming from domestic and international arena. For Singapore, it has inward and outward functions:
1. Inward functions
By means of promoting Asian values¡¦ virtue including social order, consensus and community-oriented characteristics, the People Action Party¡]PAP¡^can rule the plural society racially, shape the atmosphere and national culture that the ruling party wants, and soften the tension of anti-Chinese and racial conflict that can be seen usually in Malaysia and Indonesia. On the other hand, domestic anti-governmental power or faction can be under PAP¡¦s control and PAP can maintain it¡¦s political domination. In addition, the priority of the rights of development not only transferred Singaporean¡¦s attention from politics to economy, but also created seemingly economic miracle worthy of admiration. Most important of all, the middle class¡¦s expectation and desire for political participation could be satisfied to some extent by so called good government¡¦s excellent and wonderful performance. As a result, the Asian values could be seen as official ideology and strategy of governance.
2.Outward functions
If Asian values could be espoused and preserved by most Asian, Asia will to a large extent get rid of impulse and intervention from western countries, and more autonomous than ever before. Intrinsically Singapore is a tiny country with least resources, territory and people. In geo-political position, Singapore was located in one of the most politically sensitive area in Asia, so it must make good use of diplomatic means. In such view, Asian values would be effective way of survival that can acquire regional countries¡¦ identity and support in Southeast Asia.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:NSYSU/oai:NSYSU:etd-0114102-141946
Date14 January 2002
CreatorsOu, Seng-chau
ContributorsMarion Chyun-yang Wang, Weng-cheng Lin, none, Samuel C.Y. Ku
PublisherNSYSU
Source SetsNSYSU Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Archive
LanguageCholon
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://etd.lib.nsysu.edu.tw/ETD-db/ETD-search/view_etd?URN=etd-0114102-141946
Rightsunrestricted, Copyright information available at source archive

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