Introducing human rights education in the Confucian society of Taiwan: its implications for ethical leadership in education

Abstract

In March 2000, Chen Shui-Bian, the candidate representing the Democratic Progress Party (DPP), won the 10th presidential election. This ended the one-party rule by Kuomintang (KMT) for five decades on the island of Taiwan. The new government soon announced a new policy to include human rights education in the education system. However, the concept of human rights was originated in the Western culture of individualism, and is not widely understood in Confucian settings. This paper compares the concept of morality in Western individualism with that of Confucian ethics for ordinary people, and discusses implications for ethical leadership in education. Findings from empirical research are then used to review the use of corporal punishment in the education system of Taiwan. Finally, the possible consequences of introducing human rights education with regard to ethical leadership are discussed with reference to experience elsewhere.