Asian countries have always been known for their emphasis on community values. While the West has turned itself toward individualism and personal liberties, countries such as China, Japan, and Indonesia still foster a social spirit.
Most of these systems put emphasis on social and health protection. In other words, not only is the spirit of community bolstered through culture and religion, but the locals also maintain it through legal policies. In this article, we’ll talk about the current community values in East and Southeast Asia and what to expect in the future.
Exploring Community Values in AsiaOver the years, Asia has maintained its conservative values where family comes first. Whether we’re talking about work, school, or the home environment, individualism is often shunned in favor of collective consciousness. Here are a few reasons community spirit is so strong in the region:
· ReligionAs with most other regions that have retained their conservative, family-oriented values, religion had the biggest impact on the local population's behavior. As the majority religion in Japan, China, and Korea, Confucianism focuses on seniority. Similarly, you have countries such as Indonesia, where traditional Muslim values reign supreme.
· HierarchyIn Eastern societies, respect for the elderly is one of the focal points. As such, you'll rarely see young people challenge their superiors at work or school. The same values can be observed in daily rapport between family members and street interactions with others.
· CollectivismGroup mentality is widespread in Japan, China, and some other countries. Children are taught from an early age that society can only go forward if everyone works together. The mentality is noticeable on all levels, with people more likely to celebrate team achievements than personal accolades.
· CommunicationWhen you talk to an East Asian for the first time, you'll likely have the impression that the person is timid. This is because people living in this region use indirect communication. Loud noises and excessive emotions are frowned upon, as Asians put priority on a calm yet respectful demeanor.
The great thing about Asia is that these values persisted up to this day. Even with the strong liberal wave coming from the US and Europe, the locals managed to stay true to their conservative nature. As such, there’s still a powerful basis for a community where people help each other.
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While Asian communities have stuck with their traditional formula, there are many factors that might disrupt this harmony in the future. The impact of globalization and urbanization is very noticeable in Vietnam, China, Thailand, and other countries, threatening the existing values locals cling to.
· UrbanizationBased on things we’ve seen over the years, urbanization often has a major negative effect on the community spirit. Unlike small villages, where people are willing to help each other, everyone’s a stranger in urban areas.
Like in Europe and the US, the urbanization trend is noticeable in Asia as many jobs shift toward cities. Places such as Phnom Penh in Cambodia, for example, have doubled in size in the last decade. Such massive growth leads to poor city planning, which affects the quality of life and, with that, the community spirit.
· DemocracySome of the region’s countries are progressing sharply toward democracy. While a liberal system and free elections are definitely a positive thing, the fear remains that this will disrupt the current social system. Specifically, democracy will likely lead to additional liberties for the locals, which will affect conservative values.
· Foreign TrendsAlthough East and Southeast Asia have unique cultures and are, in many ways, isolated from the West, they still embrace some of the foreign values. The speed of adoption is even more emphasized nowadays, with the development of social networks. TikTok and Instagram trends spread like wildfire to Asia, having a direct and indirect impact on the locals.
The biggest issue is that young kids and teens might embrace some of the more liberal behavioral patterns. It's no secret that the West has lost its traditional values and hierarchy. Unfortunately, through exposure to foreign cultures, something similar might occur in Asia.
The Future Impact of TechnologyIt's hard to determine the impact of technology on community values in the East. Many of these countries are highly sophisticated, relying on software and hardware for social monitoring and rule implementation. China is perhaps the best example of this with its notorious social credit system.
With this technology, the Chinese government implements various socially friendly policies. They stimulate charity work while shunning negative behavior on social media and any form of cheating. One of the more interesting ways how you'll lose points is by not visiting your aging parents in an elderly home.
While these policies make sense, the community might go in the opposite direction if the system is lifted one day. The age of chaos might ensue due to increased social liberties. Nevertheless, the credit system works for now in maintaining social harmony.
We also have other technologies, such as the SaferWatch app, which notifies the police about unlawful behavior. The software was developed in the US and has recently gained popularity in many Asian countries. As such, it might become something that we'll use for social regulating and preventing crimes.
The Effect of Population DeclinePopulation decline in countries such as Korea, Japan, and China will have a major impact on the local economies. Financial experts predict that these countries will experience increased inflation with decreased GDP. Their ability to pay off debt will be severely jeopardized, likely leading to increased taxes for common folks.
The economic impact might affect social values. In an environment where it’s every man for him, people might forget about their cordial behavior and respect for the elderly. The financial struggles might lead to a complete dissolution of society as we know it, with morality becoming an afterthought.
Keep in mind this is the most pessimistic outcome. We can also argue that the economic downturn might lead to more favorable social behavior. As people start fending for themselves, without the government to back them up, they'll be forced to rely on others in their vicinity for survival.
Last ThoughtsThe strong presence of Confucianism and traditional values are the backbone of the East and Southeast Asian communities. Citizens of these countries enjoy a system where people help each other and where the elderly take priority.
While we've noticed certain trends that might disrupt this harmony, Asian cultural and social values will likely remain strong in the 21st century. As such, they can serve as a guiding light for all the countries that have lost their traditional moral compass.
