After reading these two articles which held opposite views towards democracy. I find I agree
more with the views of Kim Dae Jung. Lee kuan yew stressed the traditional eastern cultural factors
and believed the western systems did not suit the Asian countries. I agree with some of his thoughts
that people need laws to help people distinguish rights and wrongs. An ordered society is necessary
so the constraints for people are necessary too. The problem is why this constraints become a sign of
the loss of democracy?It is difficult to decide what constraints should be put to different people but
we all have the basic principles of morality. For example, the freedom of speech should not be
forbidden while taking and selling drugs should be punished. Besides, although some American laws
are kind of loose, I don’t think western countries have abandoned the ethical basis. This kind of
statement is an exaggeration.
The difference between the western countries and the eastern countries decide we cannot have
the same system as Americans which does not mean we don’t need democracy. Kim Dae Jung gave
many examples of our ancient culture which contains the advanced idea about democracy 2000
years ago. Consequently, in fact, we have already had the cultural basis for democracy.
The common point of Kim Dae Jung and Lee Kuan Yew is that we, Asian countries, need a special
system which are customized for ourselves. The system is democratic but is different from the
America’s. We need to create the system which is not despotic and silent on the basis of our cultures
and situations. It could meet our need and increase out opportunities. It is also my real thoughts
about the “Asian Democracy”.