The document discusses the 'Asian values' debate, emphasizing the role of cultural traits in the economic success of East Asian countries, with proponents like Lee Kuan Yew and Mahathir Mohammad arguing that liberal democracy is a Western phenomenon incompatible with other cultures. It critiques the idea of transplanting democracy, asserting that governance should align with specific cultural contexts, while also highlighting the complexities and commonalities among cultures. The debate raises questions about the nature of political systems and cultural determinism in shaping governance outcomes.

1. culture and democracy

2. Overview What are the key arguments surrounding the “Asian Values” debate? Who are the main proponents of “Asian Values”? What are the implications of this debate on the practice of liberal democracy?

3. The Asian Values Debate Primarily emphasized the role of culture in the economic success of East Asian countries Centered around the proposition that certain cultural traits were conducive to economic growth and development Proponents: Lee Kwan Yew, Mahathir Mohammad, etc. Has implications on politics as well.

4. Context Associating political/economic realities with cultural characteristics is nothing new Arguably, the first social philosopher to have done so in a coherent manner was Max Weber in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

5. Context In the late 1970s to the early 1980s, countries in East Asia experienced rapid economic growth and development These countries achieved in mere decades what Western countries took over centuries to accomplish Pundits credited the remarkable occurrence to cultural characteristics of East Asian countries

6. CULTURAL TRAITS +1 consensual conflictual DECISION-MAKING patriarchs / patrons servants of the people VIEW OF LEADERS social stability social mobility & change SOCIETAL EMPHASIS conformity individualism PRIMARY SOCIAL VALUE family / community individual SOCIAL AGENT EAST WEST

7. The Cultural Critique Liberal democracy is primarily a Western phenomenon applicable only in the West Its value orientations are ultimately incompatible with those of other cultures

8. The Cultural Critique What matters is not the kind of government a country possesses, but whether government gets the job done People basically desire the same things of their government Governments can only work if they are suited to specific cultural contexts

9. It is problematic to “transplant” democracy to other cultures The practice is imperialistic The West does not possess a monopoly over what form of government is proper to individual countries The Cultural Critique

10. Shortcomings Cultures are complex They encompass a broad gamut of characteristics and social phenomena They are not absolute in and of themselves

11. Shortcomings As explanatory variables, culture is problematic Causality is unclear: whether it is deterministic remains uncertain It is used to explain phenomenon either way

12. Shortcomings Whether cultures are irreconcilably different is debatable There are commonalities across cultures Cultural values may be seen as generally the same, but the emphasis on these values differs