Asian Freedoms

The Idea of Freedom in East and Southeast Asia

David Kelly editor Anthony Reid editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:3rd Aug '98

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Asian Freedoms cover

A prestigious group of contributors examines how Western ideas of freedom have been accepted and adapted in Asia.

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.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.

ISBN: 9780521620352

Dimensions: 228mm x 152mm x 24mm

Weight: 605g

238 pages