Asian values

This article is part of a series on
Conservatism in Singapore
Principles Anti-communism Asian values Authority Capitalism State Welfare "Communitarianism" Confucianism Economic globalization Free trade Elitism Meritocracy Family values Filial piety Multiracialism Nationalism Civic Pragmatism Rule of law Judicial caning Secularism Social order
People Goh Heng Lee (Hsien Loong) Lee (Kuan Yew) Wong
Parties and organisations People's Action Party Central Executive Committee
Related topics Lee family City-state Political positions of Lee Kuan Yew Temasek Holdings
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Asian values is a political ideology that attempts to define elements of society, culture and history common to the nations of Southeast and East Asia. It aimed to use commonalities – for example, the principle of collectivism – to unify people for their economic and social good. This contrasted with perceived European ideals of the universal rights of all individuals. The concept was advocated, particularly in the 1990s, by Mahathir Mohamad (Prime Minister of Malaysia, 1981–2003, 2018–2020) and by Lee Kuan Yew (Prime Minister of Singapore, 1959–1990), as well as other Asian leaders. It has been often used by nondemocratic leaders to justify repression of political opponents, which has been described as violating their human rights, through the justification that "human rights are not part of Asian values".^[1]