The survival of ''Asian values'' as ''Zivilisationskritik''

Abstract

Recent ¢nancial events in the Asia-Paci¢c area have not only brought havoc to political and economic structures but also changed the conditions for ideological discourse in the region. In this article, I explore the future of one of these discourses ^ ‘‘Asian Values,’’ which emphasize family and consensual governance over personal and political individualism. I ask whether this discourse, which blossomed during East and Southeast Asia’s long economic boom, will wither after a ¢nancial bust. 1 Most of these countries have gone through what can only be termed an economic depression, casting doubt on the claim that authoritarian-communitarianism is the key reason for the region’s rapid growth.We can question whether East and Southeast Asians will continue to accept developmental dictatorships that can no longer deliver development. As Frank Ching of the Far Eastern Economic Review has asked:‘‘Are Asian values ¢nished?’’ 2