Limits to Asian & western integration.

The characterization of Australia’s PM John Howard [ Japan Times 7/04/05] was unfair considering the inherent philosophical differences between Asia and the West. Yet Howard has remained engaging, placing a higher value on mutual trade. He has had several triumphs in Asia – FTAs with Thailand and Singapore. A healthy Aust-US relationship is only contentious if Asia is opposed to the values of personal freedom which underpin it. Seldom do Asian leaders state their political views, but their countries at least have institutions intended to preserve personal liberties (eg. Courts), although clearly the Asian population is still reluctant to use them. Personal experience suggest coercion still undermines ‘rule of law’ in even the most modern of Asian countries (Japan). Others might rationalize that Japan has fewer lawyers per capita because they choose to settle grievances peacefully. But that’s code for subjugation (ie. voluntary or self abuse). I’m hard-pressed to think of an Asian leader who has tried harder than Howard to build relationships. Every time Howard attempts to join ASEAN, he is rebuked by ‘recalcitrant’ Malaysia. Not signing the ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation reflects the differences in values – at least at root - between Australia (pro-individual rights) and ASEAN (pro-collective ‘rights’). Since Japan, China and India are collectivist, its not surprising that they supported the initiative, whilst the US, Britain, Canada (pro-individualist countries) were politely indifferent to it. What would such an agreement achieve? Authoritarian regimes don’t respect rights. Eg. Indonesian PM Soeharto for example. Regardless, Howard is a second-rate leader, but what do you expect from ANY democracy, when reason is subjugated behind popularity, numbers, dogma, misrepresentation, context-dropping and evasion. Nevertheless his foreign policies have been principled and thoughtful. His only significant failing in Asia was not using the East Timorese intervention as a tool for redressing long-standing civil unrest in Indonesia. Clearly his advisors in the Dept of Foreign Affairs missed the bigger picture. There is no question that both Asia and the West need to change – it starts with political integrity (reason).

This letter as far as I'm aware has yet to get editorial approval.

Rights without principles

Regarding Sarah Benton's March 6 article, "Trashing liberties we die for": I'm left with the perception that voters and politicians care little about principles. Politicians care little for principles because voters don't. Concepts such as "rights" or justice raise a yawn in voters that idealize democracy (numbers) as a standard of truth rather than a method of peace. This article attempts to collectivize all liberals from different camps as contradictory, when they merely have different views.
However, in Ted Rall's article on the same day, "Property rights to the biggest taxpayer," it's a sad irony that the so-called defenders of capitalism -- big business -- are such poor advocates of it, some because of their anti-intellectual pragmatism and others because of their dogmatic idealism divorced from context. In the case presented, a homeowner in an inner city ghetto is fighting to avoid eviction by local government and big business under the "eminent domain" provisions for property redevelopment. Big business is holding the collectivist "good of society" ticket while libertarians are fighting for rights at any price.
Wilhelmina Dery is an unlikely libertarian campaigner. I suggest that, after living in the same house for 86 years, the principle she is fighting is fear of change rather than property rights. Of course she should have a voice, but without a rational argument for opposing the generous compensation, she should be evicted. I would suggest that if business executives used a bit of empathy, she might have gone willingly. I think all the highlights of my life resulted from change -- it's about time Dery experienced one.
Source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?rc20050320a5.htm
ANDREW SHELDON CROOKSSaitama