Cultural Politics and Asian Values looks at the political, cultural and religious background of East and Southeast Asian societies and those of 'the West', with a view to seeing how they are affecting contemporary national and international politics: democratization, the international human rights discourse, NGOs and globalisation.The book surveys the political history and pre-history of the 'Asian values' debate, taking it up to the era of Megawati Sukarnoputri, Chen Shui-bian and Kim Dae-jung. In chapters on Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and liberalism, Barr explores the histories and conceptual essences of the world religions involved in or affected by the debate.
Author(s): Michael D. Barr
Edition: 3
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 256
Book Cover......Page 1
Title......Page 4
Contents......Page 5
Preface......Page 10
Acknowledgements......Page 12
List of abbreviations......Page 14
Cultural politics......Page 16
Death of a debate?......Page 18
A broad history: from Meiji to 'East Asian Miracle'......Page 27
Narrow histories: Lee Kuan Yew and Dr Mahathir......Page 45
Confronting China after the end of history......Page 61
Fin de sicle: 'Democratic Moment', financial crisis and beyond......Page 79
Values and religions......Page 92
Of liberalism and other religions......Page 94
The European legacy: Christianity and liberalism......Page 105
Islam: of Shari'a and Adat; Caliphs and Rajas......Page 136
Buddhism: the politics of compassion......Page 153
Confucianism: humane rites and elite rights......Page 172
Cultural politics and Asian values......Page 190
'Asian values' revisited......Page 192
Human rights revisited......Page 203
Glossary......Page 209
Notes......Page 211
Bibliography......Page 234
Index......Page 251
