Asian Values and Democratic Citizenship: Exploring Attitudes Among South Korean Eighth Graders

• In Event: The Influence and Relevance of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism for Education, Self, and Research

Abstract

Utilizing data from the 2009 IEA International Civic and Citizenship Study Asia Module, this secondary analysis explores the relationship between traditional Asian Values and democratic citizenship. Findings identify two dimensions of Asian values; Asian civic values and obedience to authority. Asian civic values have a positive association with democratic citizenship, while obedience to authority displays an inverse relationship. However, attachment to obedience to authority is much weaker among South Korean students. The overall findings suggest the possibility of reconciliation between traditional Asian values and democratic citizenship.

Author

• Ryan Thomas Knowles, University of Missouri