Modernity and Tradition in Asia - Essay Example

Modernity and Tradition in Asia Cultural nationalism forms an important part of modern history in a way that helps one to understand the issues surrounding the quests for national cohesion and integration. In scenarios where a foreign culture threatens the historical and indigenous culture, cultural nationalism comes in handy. One such example is in the Asian scene especially China, India and other Asian countries. Even in all these, traditions in the Asian region are notable for the influence they get from foreign cultures (especially the western culture) and thereafter it has influenced other societies. The Asian immigration phenomenon is an explanation to this effect in terms of language and cultural influence in the societies they immigrate to. Modern History Modern history discusses the historical timeline after the middle Ages. It has two stages which include; early modern and the late modern periods. Contemporary history tells more about the period of historic events that are immediately applicable to the present time. Modern period is a period of important growth in various fields that include; politics, warfare, technology and science, these fields not only dominated the Western Europe and North America but nearly every cultured area on the world. Cultural nationalism is a body that mainly forms the modern political societies within an unsanctioned state authority hence it is a form in which a nation is defined by an inherited culture and it is a strong belief that interests a particular state. Role of cultural nationalism in china Cultural nationalism played some roles in the China community and made it what it is today. The China’s nationalism today (present) was produced by its pride in its history and its century of the humiliation at the hands of the west and the Japan. The Chinese nationalism had a positive impact that came all over during the post WWII era. Role of cultural nationalism in India Nationalism is commonly understood as a political concept hence, it is an ideology that provides source for the national integration, solidity and as well as seeking national independence from the colonial. Cultural nationalism has played a major role in the political reshaping of all the central Europe. During the post-WWII era nationalism emerged as a powerful force. It acted as a suitable system of acquiring economic aid and security declaration. During the post- WWII era nationalism reemerged as a serious factor in improving the worldwide political scene in the post cold war era. Modern Asian Civilizations Civilization is a controversial word that has been used in various connected ways. It is used to refer to the human cultures which are obviously complex in terms of science, technology and division of labor. The civilization advancement is usually and often measured by its progress in long distance trade, agriculture, urbanism and occupational specialization. 1. Japan The Japanese civilization began in approximately A.D. 400 when the Yamato clan who were based in Kyoto gained extreme control of family groups in the Western and Central Japan. In the 700s the Japan was influenced by China, this influence made the Yamato clan to set up a majestic court that was similar to that of the China. The Yamato ruling system contributed largely to the formation of the Japanese culture and its tradition that stated gods of the others should be venerated equally hence other people’s gods should be treated and be compared to their own gods (this Japanese tradition stills remains to date) (Matsumoto and Hosaka 1). 2. China China being an East Asian country has a large territory, an ancient history and a huge population. It has written records that date back to 4000 years. China is considered to be an ancient civilization that extends over a large area in the East Asia. China is among one of the four great world’s oldest civilizations and one among the most highly developed societies and economies. Most of the china’s traditional morals were derived from the different editions of the Confucianism. Confucianism was considered to be the official philosophy throughout china’s history (China.org.cn 1). The mastery of Confucian texts was taken to be the criterion for the entry into the imperial organization. China is said to be one of the cradles of the humankind. It is also the only ancient civilization that has stayed for long as it has continued to this very present day. The modern china is undergoing through a new complete era where by the respect it has for science and inventions has become the guiding principle for the society. China’s civilization will help it make new contributions to the civilization of the human race (China.org.cn 1). 3. India The modern India civilization is an ancient and dynamic one and it initiated from various national centers along the yellow river and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era. The Indian civilization is estimated to be 5000years old. Before the civilization, communities in India used to live in planned cities that had adequate arrangements. India’s history starts from the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization in various cities such as Lothal, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, and the coming of the Aryans (the first Aryan settlers called river Indus, Sinduh which means a very big mass of water like the sea) (Indo vacations 1 and H 1). The two events are described as the pre-Vedic and the Vedic periods, Hinduism arose in the Vedic period and the Vedas are dated at this time. The Aryans introduced the Sanskrit and the Vedic religion (a predecessor of Hinduism). Buddhism was started in the 16th century (B.C.) whereby it was spread all over the northern India by the great ancient kings of the Mauryan dynasty (Indo vacations 1 and iH 1). 4. Events and personalities in Korea and Southeast Asia Impacts inside the United States foreign policy Impact of the modern civilization inside the United States (in the field of foreign policy) Modern civilization had major impacts inside the United States field of foreign policy. Some of the impacts it brought about included; the reduction of the tariffs, U.S. imports of European products flagged of (this prevented the Europe to recover from the war, stabilize their exchange rates and to pay off their debts), it also jeopardized peace and it brought about lower duties that become general foreign policy objective for international firmness that was a division in thinking about tariff strategy. Impact of the modern civilization inside the United States (phenomenon of Asian immigration) When the Asians traveled to the United States they welcomed and tolerated. The Asians immigrants experienced and faced very restrictive laws which were occasionally violence. The modern civilization brought about some impacts that changed the immigration laws that had to be followed during the immigrants stay at the United States, some of these impacts include; Asian got excluded from citizenship and the canceling of the set laws that made it easier for Asians immigrants to enter in the United States. Geographical Configuration in Modern Asia India India is a nation of great diversity that has wide ranges of landform nature. In the north region it has the Himalayan which contains a number of the highest mountains in the universe; the Gangetic and the plateau region are found in the central and south parts. Three large rivers which have widespread deltas are also found in it and they include Ganges, the Indus, and Brahmaputra. Its distance from Japan is 5959.02kilometers (the air travel distance is 3702.76 miles), distance from china is 2987.1km (air travel distance is 1856.1 miles). China China’s greatest part is mountainous. The country is also the home of Mt. Everest (Mt. Qomolangma) which is the highest peak in the world, K2 peak (chogo Ri), Minya Konka, Namjagbarwa peak and Meili Snow Mountain. It distance from Japan is 3050.02km (air travel distance is 1895.3 miles) and its distance from India is 2987.1km (air travel distance is 1856.1 miles) (At0086.com 1). Japan Japan has several high mountains that include Mt. Fuji (Fuji San), Kita dake, Oku hotaka dake, Yari ga take and Warusawa dake. Its distance from china is 3050.02km (air travel distance is 1895.3 miles) and its distance from India is 5959.02kilometers (the air travel distance is 3702.76 miles). Conclusion From this exposition, it is resounding that there cultural nationalism has played an important role not only in shaping the national integration in Asia continent and the Indian subcontinent but also in shaping other societies in the western countries. While many societies have been impacted by the western culture, the opposite seems true for the Asian case. The reason for this is the cultural cohesion in the region. Work cited At0086.com. Top Ten Highest Mountains in China. Web. 2008. Viewed 17 May 2011. China.org.cn. Formation of the Chinese Civilization. Web. 2011. Viewed 17 May 2011. IH. Indian History. 2011. Web. 2011. Viewed 17 May 2011. Indo vacations. Recent History of Indian Subcontinent. Web. 2011. Viewed 17 May 2011. Matsumoto, P. and Hosaka, S. Institute for Interreligious Dialogue: Polythene in Japan and Its Influence on Japanese Civilization. Institute for interreligious dialogue. 2004. Print Read More