Asian Freedoms - The Idea of Freedom in East and Southeast Asia

Klappentext Many Westerners assume that freedom has been bypassed in Asia, given the often brutal suppression of demands for its extension in some Asian countries, and its more tentative status in others where desire for social order is dominant. This book argues that Western ideas of freedom have become widely accepted in Asia, and the key determinant for measuring a range of legal, ethical and political practices. The book finds that modern conceptions of freedom throughout Asia are rooted in local histories, institutions and practices, becoming adapted to local contexts. The book avoids cultural relativism and blanket generalisations, but does find a number of common ideas relating to freedom across the region. A prestigious group of contributors explores freedom from historical, religious, political and ideological perspectives, acknowledging the many variations in the theme of human liberation. Zusammenfassung This book argues that Western ideas of freedom have become widely accepted in Asia! as the key determinant for measuring a range of legal! ethical and political practices. The book finds that modern conceptions of freedom become adapted to local contexts throughout Asia. It avoids cultural relativism and generalisations! but does find a number of common ideas relating to freedom across the region. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1. Freedom: a Eurasian mosaic David Kelly; 2. Buddhism and freedom Ian Mabbett; 3. Freedom and freehold: space, people and state simplification in Southeast Asia Jim Scott; 4. Chine and freedom Bill Jenner; 5. Freedom and the family: gendering Meiji political thought Vera Mackie; 6. The Chinese search for freedom as a universal value David Kelly; 7. Merdeka: the concept of freedom in Indonesia Tony Reid; 8. Slavery and modernity: freedom in the making of modern Siam Thanet Aphornsuvan; 9. The idea of freedom in Burma and the political thought of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Josef Silverstein; 10. Freedom and elite political theory in Vietnam before the French Alexander Woodside....

Product details

• Authors: David Kelly, David (University College Kelly, David Reid Kelly
• Assisted by: David Kelly (Editor), John Ravenhill (Editor), Anthony Reid (Editor)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 13.06.1998
• EAN: 9780521637572
• ISBN: 978-0-521-63757-2
• No. of pages: 240
• Series: Cambridge Asia-Pacific Studies; Cambridge Asia-Pacific Studies
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political theories and the history of ideas; Political Ideologies, Asia, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Human Rights, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / Asian, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Civil Rights, Human rights, civil rights, Political ideologies and movements, Freedom Of Information & Freedom Of Speech