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Is liberal democracy compatible with asian values

Q: What do defenders of “Asian values” usually claim about democracy and rights?

They claim that Asian cultures prioritize order, discipline, social harmony, and respect for authority , so political and civil rights and adversarial democracy are “Western” and not suitable for Asia.

Q: What is Sen’s main answer to the “Asian values” argument?

He says Asian values are not one thing : Asian histories include strong traditions of tolerance, public debate, and criticism of rulers , so it’s false to treat democracy and rights as alien to Asia.

Q: What is the “authoritarianism = growth” claim, and how does Sen respond?

The claim is that authoritarian rule is better for economic growth , especially in Asia. Sen responds that the evidence is mixed : some dictatorships grow, some fail; some democracies grow too. There is no clear proof that democracy is bad for development.

Q: According to Sen, what is the real conflict if it’s not “Asia vs democracy”?

The real conflict is between authoritarian governments that want to limit rights and citizens who want voice, protection, and accountability—not between “Asian culture” and democracy.

Q: In one sentence, what is Sen’s view on compatibility?

Sen thinks liberal democracy and human rights are compatible with Asian values , because Asian cultures are diverse and include strong pro-freedom traditions, and because the case for authoritarianism is empirically weak.

6 important questions on Is liberal democracy compatible with asian values

What do defenders of “Asian values” usually claim about democracy and rights?

They claim that Asian cultures prioritize order, discipline, social harmony, and respect for authority, so political and civil rights and adversarial democracy are “Western” and not suitable for Asia.

What is Sen’s main answer to the “Asian values” argument?

He says Asian values are not one thing: Asian histories include strong traditions of tolerance, public debate, and criticism of rulers, so it’s false to treat democracy and rights as alien to Asia.

How does Sen challenge the idea that human rights are “Western”?

He argues that the basic concerns behind human rights—protecting people from abuse, allowing them to speak and organize, holding rulers accountable—are universal and appear in Asian traditions and movements, not just in the West.

What is the “authoritarianism = growth” claim, and how does Sen respond?

The claim is that authoritarian rule is better for economic growth, especially in Asia. Sen responds that the evidence is mixed: some dictatorships grow, some fail; some democracies grow too. There is no clear proof that democracy is bad for development.

According to Sen, what is the real conflict if it’s not “Asia vs democracy”?

The real conflict is between authoritarian governments that want to limit rights and citizens who want voice, protection, and accountability—not between “Asian culture” and democracy.

In one sentence, what is Sen’s view on compatibility?

Sen thinks liberal democracy and human rights are compatible with Asian values, because Asian cultures are diverse and include strong pro-freedom traditions, and because the case for authoritarianism is empirically weak.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material: