Confucian Values And Japans Industrialization :: essays research papers

Confucian Values and lacquers IndustrializationMany factors helped wait on in the dynamic growth that occurred in Japan andthe four little dragons during the expect- solid ground fight 2 period. Some of thesefactors were situational factors unique to the time but some of the factors werecultural. The legacy of Confucianism in Japan and the four little dragons helpedto further the goals of industrialization that these nations had. The traditionsof Confucianism provided for Japan and the four little dragons both a pliantpublic and a model for choosing competent leadership.Confucian traditions placed an emphasis on the value of the group overthe individual. This helped industrialism by creating a pliant populace who were unstrained to accept long hours and low wages and not question presidency policies.The traditions of Confucianism taught workers not to question authority. Thesetraditions carried over into the post war period and allowed swaggeringregimes in the four little d ragons to go unquestioned by the public. This loseof dissent allowed the four little dragons to have stable governments which werecritical to investment capital and industrialization. The stability of these nations wasa direct result of Confucian values creation indoctrinated into the population.Confucian placement of the group over the individual and strong look in filialpiety also caused families and local communities to accept favorable responsibilityfor members of their community. This safety net that was provided by communitiesand families allowed the government to limit its expenditure on social welfareprograms and thus channel more funds into infrastructure and industry.Confucianism also placed an emphasis on self-cultivation which has helped eastern United StatesAsian Countries to have a skilled and ambitious work force. The tradition ofself-cultivation like the work ethic that Max Weber ascribe Protestantism ofproducing lead people to strive to acquire new skills, s peak abroad languages,and in the offices and businesses of Japan, drive workers to strive with intheir firms to improve group performance.Confucian traditions also placed emphasis on the creation of ameritocratic elite and the use of entrance exams. These traditions were in placebefore World War 2 in the East Asian countries but they helped aid in thecarrying out of the industrial policies of the post-war government of Japan andthe little Dragons. The traditionalistic system of a meritocratic elite was adoptedin the post war years in the form of meritocraticly chosen bureaucracy that doand carried out many government policies. This elite was free from many of thestrains of government and thus was able to carry out policies that democraticallyelected leaders might not be able to pursue do to the changing feelings of the