Introduction for Special Issue on Cultural Policy in Asia

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Notes

1. The four ‘Asian Tigers’ were Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan where it was argued by economists that rapid economic growth was achieved through certain ‘Asian values’ characterised by consensus over confrontation, community values over individual rights and a respect for authority. Certain studies will attribute these traits to the influence of ‘Confucianism’.

2. For example, while countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, India and Japan might be broadly described as democracies, the practice of democracy and implementation of government reform would more likely than not run counter to accepted notions of ‘democracy’ as practised in Europe and the USA.

3. In particular, I would like to thank professor Oliver Bennett and professor Nobuko Kawashima for their help and support. I would also like to thank professor John Hughson for his advice in the initial stages of this issue.