Bert hamminga Questions on Woodward: Asian Values
version date 991123
- List the Asian values in the first paragraph. At every value think of an example where
"Asians" and "Westerners" would reason or behave differently.
- In the second paragraph, majority vote is considered to be only one type of democracy,
and not the best one, according to the "Asian" perspective. What reasons would
they have from their perspective? What would be the objection against this from the
"Western" perspective?
- Chris Patten, the British governor of Hong Kong: "Some Asian leaders and
journalists define Asian values as a serene quartet--hard work, strong families,
home ownership and morality. I happen to believe in all that myself." I do not think
Patton adopted the Asian values: he still consider himself an Englishman culturally. But
by saying this, he takes a stand in discussions in his own "Western"
culture. What is this discussion, what is his position, who are his
"adversaries" in Western culture.
- What dangers could "Popular culture, TV, rock music, the buy-now-pay-later
advertisements, conspicuous consumption, the desire for more material goods, all combine
to erode the traditional virtues of hard work, thrift, personal responsibility and family
togetherness," have from the Asian perspective?
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