East Asia Culture Analysis: Racial Profiling - Research Proposal Example

East Asia East Asia is a region that is defined by having a common culture as well as geographical boundaries. In a strict geographical sense East Asia is comprised of China, Taiwan, Japan, North and South Korea, Mongolia, and Siberia. However, based on cultural connections, the countries of Vietnam and Singapore are often included in any discussion of East Asia. The area is densely populated and has some of the oldest cultures in the world. The people of East Asia share many commonalities in language, traditions, customs religion, and history. However, the area has also been a security concern for the West as China has exerted its power and influence in the region, where long standing US allies seek to preserve their political sovereignty. This paper will explore the cultural traditions that unite Asia as a geopolitical and cultural entity, and examine their implications for US forces operating in the region. The cultural characteristics of a people are often examined through the work of Hofstede and his identification of common cultural traits. The culture of East Asia has been identified to be one that has a significant power-distance relationship factor (Yeung 345). This means that the social closeness between management and the workers is almost non-existent, as compared to the US where the power distance factor is low. Unlike in the US, workers are not allowed to approach members of management for any reason. The culture maintains a significant distance between the general public and its leadership, and a social hierarchy is respected. Another measurement of culture on the Hofstede scale is uncertainty avoidance. This is a measurement of how willing the culture is to take risks in life and business. The culture of East Asia has a low tolerance for risk and will generally avoid it if possible (Yeung 345). The western cultures of the US have a moderate uncertainty avoidance factor and are generally open to assuming some level of risk. This can be seen in business, where the US is known around the world as innovators, while the East Asians, notably China and Japan, make products that are copied from designs that originated in the West. Learning styles are also a culture driven characteristic. The cultures of East Asia rely far more heavily on rote memory to learn a subject than the West does. According to Zhang, "Chinese teachers used to say that we should treasure our childhood mathematics practice just like language practice and piano-playing practice. Everyone, from the skilled craftsman to the mathematician, seems to accept this idea up to now". US educational psychology emphasizes understanding above simply memorizing a subject. Memorizing is more effective at tasks that require great repetition such as assembly line work, but stifles creative thought. The long history of East Asia has contributed to its tendencies towards a collective society, rather than valuing individual liberty. The 3,000 years of oral and written history have strongly bound the Chinese people together as a common culture. This has led to their acceptance of the collective social structure and communal economic systems. Though many of the countries have strong market based economies, the social and political structure provides significant public support for individuals and industry. This is in contrast to the US where individuals and businesses are expected to rely on their own individual resources for success or failure. China and Japans governments routinely subsidize business, and manages the bigger picture of global trade and commerce. The major religions of the East Asia region include Buddhism and Confucianism, and they have had a significant impact on the history of the region and their culture. Both religions are based in the teaching of ethics and moral behavior as a foundation for life. The people of East Asia treasure honor, loyalty, and devotion above all else. The social and economic conditions in Japan, as well as the international environment, have allowed Confucianism ethics to responsibly manage the capitalist system (Durlabhji 50). In addition, the religions renounce the worship of material goods, and place a high value on altruistic behavior. This has contributed to their collective nature and their shared economies. Another significant difference between the religions of East Asia and the Christian religions is that the Asian religions believe that man was born good, while Christianity teaches that man was born with an original sin that they must resolve and rectify. The societies of East Asia are less prone to apologize for their actions, such as government actions taken on behalf of the people. Military units and personnel operating in East Asia will need to be aware of the cultural differences that they will encounter in the area. The power distance factor will have an effect on the interactions and communications between the people and military personnel. The average person will perceive the military as a symbol of authority and will maintain a degree of respect and social distance. There will be little opportunity for small talk or casual conversation among the more formal East Asians. This will also transfer to other native military units, where the chain of command will be strictly adhered to and respect for rank and privilege will be demanded. Japans emerging role as a major military power should also be kept in mind. International events have altered their pacifist role and, "conservatives have pushed successfully for a larger military role for Japan, in accordance with American requests" (Katzenstein and Shiraishi 85). This new role will additionally enhance the image of the military position in the mind of the general public. In socializing with the general public, the people of East Asia are culturally influenced by US music, movies, and liberal thinking. According to Chen and Chua, "Public discussions are often ideologically directed at the generalized liberal attitudes that are portrayed in American popular cultural products" (17). However, caution is urged in this area as cultural liberalism is sometimes viewed as "culturally and morally corrosive of wholesome Asian values" (Chen and Chua 17). The main urban centers of Singapore, Taipei, and Hong Kong are cosmopolitan and have a vibrant interest in pop culture, television, and celebrities. In conclusion, the cultures of East Asia are thousands of years old and have many of their traditions based in the major religions of Buddhism and Confucianism. They are highly principled and moral, and have a respect for rank and authority. The recent influence of Western pop culture has been met with general popular acceptance, though has met some resistance as being morally invasive. Chinas role as a military super power, and Japans emerging role in international affairs, have elevated the status of the military in the region. The people generally are open and warm, though expect a proper social distance to be maintained during encounters and casual conversations. Works Cited Chen, Kuan-Hsing, and Beng H. Chua. The Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Reader. New York, NY: Routledge, 2007. Durlabhji, S. Japanese Business: Cultural Perspectives. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1993. Katzenstein, Peter, and Takashi Shiraishi. Beyond Japan: The Dynamics of East Asian Regionalism. Ithica, NY: Cornell University, 2006. Yeung, Henry W. Handbook of Research on Asian Business. Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2007. Zhang, Dianzhou. Some Characteristics of Mathematics Education in East Asia. East China Normal University. 8 Apr. 2009 . Read More

The long history of East Asia has contributed to its tendencies towards a collective society, rather than valuing individual liberty. The 3,000 years of oral and written history have strongly bound the Chinese people together as a common culture. This has led to their acceptance of the collective social structure and communal economic systems. Though many of the countries have strong market-based economies, the social and political structure provides significant public support for individuals and industries.

This is in contrast to the US where individuals and businesses are expected to rely on their own individual resources for success or failure. China and Japan's governments routinely subsidize business and manage the bigger picture of global trade and commerce. The major religions of the East Asia region include Buddhism and Confucianism, and they have had a significant impact on the history of the region and their culture. Both religions are based in the teaching of ethics and moral behavior as a foundation for life.

The people of East Asia treasure honor, loyalty, and devotion above all else. The social and economic conditions in Japan, as well as the international environment, have allowed Confucianism ethics to responsibly manage the capitalist system (Durlabhji 50). In addition, the religions renounce the worship of material goods and place a high value on altruistic behavior. This has contributed to their collective nature and their shared economies. Another significant difference between the religions of East Asia and the Christian religions is that the Asian religions believe that man was born good, while Christianity teaches that man was born with an original sin that they must resolve and rectify.

The societies of East Asia are less prone to apologize for their actions, such as government actions taken on behalf of the people. Military units and personnel operating in East Asia will need to be aware of the cultural differences that they will encounter in the area. The power distance factor will have an effect on the interactions and communications between the people and military personnel. The average person will perceive the military as a symbol of authority and will maintain a degree of respect and social distance.

There will be little opportunity for small talk or casual conversation among the more formal East Asians. This will also transfer to other native military units, where the chain of command will be strictly adhered to and respect for rank and privilege will be demanded. Japan's emerging role as a major military power should also be kept in mind. International events have altered their pacifist role and, "conservatives have pushed successfully for a larger military role for Japan, in accordance with American requests" (Katzenstein and Shiraishi 85).

This new role will additionally enhance the image of the military position in the mind of the general public. In socializing with the general public, the people of East Asia are culturally influenced by US music, movies, and liberal thinking. According to Chen and Chua, "Public discussions are often ideologically directed at the generalized liberal attitudes that are portrayed in American popular cultural products" (17). However, caution is urged in this area as cultural liberalism is sometimes viewed as "culturally and morally corrosive of wholesome Asian values" (Chen and Chua 17).

The main urban centers of Singapore, Taipei, and Hong Kong are cosmopolitan and have a vibrant interest in pop culture, television, and celebrities. In conclusion, the cultures of East Asia are thousands of years old and have many of their traditions based on the major religions of Buddhism and Confucianism. They are highly principled and moral and have a respect for rank and authority. The recent influence of Western pop culture has been met with general popular acceptance, though has met some resistance as being morally invasive.

Chinas role as a military superpower, and Japan's emerging role in international affairs, have elevated the status of the military in the region.

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