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= = === Thesis East Asian culture as a whole has evolved around on Confucian ideas. Confucianism has specifically affected these regions in three different aspects: religion, common day-to-day lives, and national identity. However, due to the development of individual traits in each country, the countries do not respond the same way to the same given situations, even though they are categorized under the same region, East Asia. Therefore the way these countries react to foreign policy may be based on the same fundamental reasons, however, the actions they take may be different from each other. ===

Brainstorm Ideas: East Asia CWI Documentary East Asia CWI Articles = =

=Chinese culture = Until the 20th century, China’s history was characterized by dynastic cycles – long periods of rule by warlords. Power was determined by the mandate of heaven, the right to rule as seen by collective ancestral wisdom. Today, China stands as one of the few remaining communist nations, with no signs of renouncing communism.

//Confucianism//
===//This emphasized the importance of order and harmony, and encouraged Chinese citizens to submit to the emperor’s power, and reinforced the emperors’ responsibility to fulfill his duties “conscientiously.” This aspect is tied to democratic centralism, the communist belief in a small group of leaders who rule for the good of the people.// ===

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//**Confucianism vs Maoism**//
====//Confucianism: Mandate of Heaven/Vision of an ideal society based on harmony and obedience/Hierarchical social and political organization; emphasis on loyalty to family.// ==== 


//** Ethnic Cleavage** China’s ethnic population is mainly Han Chinese. Chinese borders have long included other ethnicities, primarily through conquest and expansion of land claims. Minority groups now comprise only little of China’s population; they include autonomous areas such as Tibet and Xinjiang.

Important divide in Chinese society is between rural and urban areas. Most of the economic growth has occurred in cities.
 * Urban vs Rural Cleavage **

Bribes are common and corruption is widely regarded as a major problem. In 2004, the government published a policy paper that warned its members that corruption and incompetence could threaten its hold on power.
 * Corruptions **

Since the protest at Tiananmen Square in 1898, the status of civil rights in China has been widely debated. Still, the government regulates discussions on university internet sites and several dissident writers who have criticized the government have been arrested.
 * Civil Rights and Liberties **

Last year in Korea, a cop stopped a car that transported a representative from China for drink and driving. When the cop asked for the ID, the representative refused, arguing that foreign diplomats are immune to "search and seizure." The Chinese representative had to stay there supervised by Korean cops for more than 5 hours. Later, it was found out that they wern't involved in drink and driving. Weird...!**//
 * Interesting Fact



= //Japanese culture// = //Modern Japan does not consider being religiously related to god as important as other countries. More than being related to God, it is more important to maintain harmonious relationships with others while fulfilling the social obligations one is given. Peace, Harmony, order, and self-development are considered important in the Japanese cultural values. Even for religious practices, they are done to emphasize the importance of being in harmony with others while achieving one’s social roles and duty as a member of a family and a society.


 * Confucianism in Japan**

In Japan, Confucianism is not considered as a religion, but has influenced fundamental thoughts of the Japanese. Confucianism plays a big role in social and familial relationships in modern Japanese culture. The Japanese government and culture is strongly affected; as a result there are hierarchical systems and bureaucratic from of governments. Extended from the beliefs of Confucianism, in Japan was Neo-Confucianism, which was influenced by Buddhist and Daoist ideas. One essential belief in Neo-Confucianism was that the stability of one’s family is a human’s duty in life.

//Shinto means, Way of the Gods. Also it is the only indigenous religion in Japan. It considers the life of a person in current affairs instead of after death.// Buddhism //Originated from India, Buddhism ideas and Japanese culture have become inseparable. The essential ideas of rebirth and the importance of unity of experience has developed the Japanese worldview along with Confucianism and Shinto.// Avoid discrimination. Originated from China, Daoism subtly influenced Japanese culture.
 * Different branches of religion and Confucianism**//
 * Shinto**
 * Daoism//**

Japanese believe that they are individuals from the day of their birth. With the belief of Confucianism, Japanese are also very considerate of others. Actions taken are not only for one’s own good, but for the better development of the society one lives in.
 * National identity and Confucianism**



=<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Macau =

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What makes Macau different to China is that is has a fusion of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. The basic law of Macau is " freedom of conscience, freedom of religious belief, freedom to preach, and freedom to conduct and participate in religious activities<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">" ([|worldlingo]). <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Most of the population in Macau are Chinese; therefore, their primary religion is Buddhism. They base their culture mainly from the influences of Portuguese counterpart; however, there are still Chinese influence, such as Chinese Confucianism and morality. Chinese food are popular in Macau and Chinese martial arts (such as kung fu and wishu) are popular and studied because of self defense.
 * Traditional Beliefs**

Almost half of the total population in Macau are Buddhists. These days, Christianity is starting to spread more in Macau; nonetheless, Buddhism is still the dominant religion.

Buddhists basically are influenced from Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism beliefs. Buddhism is a practice and a belief (spiritual development) where it leads the people into the "true nature of life." Practices in Buddhism, such as meditation, allows the people to change and to develop the following qualities: wisdom, awareness, and kindness. Unlike other religions, Buddhism doesn't have the belief of worshiping a certain God. The main idea in Buddhism is that actions will have consequences and nothing is permanent, therefore, change is possible.
 * Influence in Confucianism**

Tao means "the path" or "the way." Taoism is a principle where it is believed that one person can't follow "the way" if they attribute themselves in believing the existence of a God or a ghost. This belief is basically a guideline on how to live a good life in harmony with nature and the universe. Similar to Buddhism, Taoism doesn't have the belief of worshiping a God. It is believed that Taoism is everything and everyone is affected by it, whether we know it or not.

"The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao. The Name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of Heaven and Earth. the named is the mother of all things" (Lao-Tze (the one who established Taoism)).

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In Macau, the people established the Macau Confucianism Organization in 1909 and the purpose of this organization is to "respect Confucianism, spread the holy virtue, educate the talented, promote the culture" ([|worldlingo]).

= Taiwan =

Taiwan’s population is mostly filled with people who were born in China or their ancestors were born in China. They’re mostly Han Chinese. In Taiwan, the people are divided up into three groups (based on the language they speak): Taiwanese, Hakka, and Mandarin.

In Taiwan, most of the people have traditional values that grew out from Confucian ethnics. Some values, such as ancestor worship, respect towards parents, importance of their ‘face,’ and strong emphasis on their education and work, remain strong.

Based on Confucianism, the position of the individuals is set in Taiwanese society. Confucianism is a system of behaviors that emphasize the obligations and duties of people towards each other based on their relationship. There are five different relationships these are based upon: ruler and subject, parents and children, husband and wife, brothers and sisters, friend and friend. Confucianism strongly accentuates on duty, loyalty, honor, filial piety, respect towards elders, and sincerity.
 * Confucianism**

= South Korea =

Confucianism in South Korea: The 5 fundamental rules of Confucianism is found in everyday lives of the population in South Korea. For example, one is expected to respectful and show appropriate behavior to one's parents, children, brothers and sisters, superiors, elders, inferiors, and/or kings (presidents or other masters of some sort). The day-to-day culture in Korea is very strictly based upon the rules of Confucianism to the point where respect is something you must show to anyone, and if you do not show respect to someone, it is the same thing as humiliating the person. Politically, Confucianism is more subtle, but still follows the same rules. South Korea, in a less radical sense, is much like Israel and its point of view about the US. It would at many times, kiss American government's ass just to please the Americans. This is because during the Korean War, the US has "saved the lives as well as the nation" of South Korea. Also, the US nowadays is a very important trading partner to Korea, therefore causing Korean politicians to turn their backs to Korean people just to please the Americans when making decisions.

Koreans tend to stick together and create social norms that are almost like unwritten rules. Anything or anyone found outside the social norms is ostracized. These social norms might include a strong nationalistic feeling, following the rules and laws, and not standing out. Although there are many cases where people would treat people outside the social norms so badly that they commit suicide, the law does nothing against the people that showed the extremely harsh treatment. Although it has become less serious, many immigrants that come to Korea are forced to face this racial/background discrimination because they are different, or outside the created social norms.

= North Korea =