Confucian Values And Japans Industrialization

Confucian Values and Japan's Industrialization


        Many factors helped aid in the dynamic growth that occurred in Japan and

the four little dragons during the post-World War 2 period. Some of these

factors were situational factors unique to the time but some of the factors were

cultural. The legacy of Confucianism in Japan and the four little dragons helped

to further the goals of industrialization that these nations had. The traditions

of Confucianism provided for Japan and the four little dragons both a pliant

public and a model for choosing competent leaders.

        Confucian traditions placed an emphasis on the values of the group over

the individual. This helped industrialism by creating a pliant populace who were

willing to accept long hours and low wages and not question government policies.

The traditions of Confucianism taught workers not to question authority. These

traditions carried over into the post war period and allowed authoritarian

regimes in the four little dragons to go unquestioned by the public. This lack

of dissent allowed the four little dragons to have stable governments which were

critical to investment and industrialization. The stability of these nations was

a direct result of Confucian values being indoctrinated into the population.

Confucian placement of the group over the individual and strong belief in filial

piety also caused families and local communities to accept social responsibility

for members of their community. This safety net that was provided by communities

and families allowed the government to limit it's spending on social welfare

programs and thus channel more funds into infrastructure and industry.

Confucianism also placed an emphasis on self-cultivation which has helped East

Asian Countries to have a skilled and ambitious work force. The tradition of

self-cultivation like the work ethic that Max Weber credited Protestantism of

producing lead people to strive to acquire new skills, speak foreign languages,

and in the offices and businesses of Japan, drive workers to strive with in

their firms to improve group performance.

        Confucian traditions also placed emphasis on the creation of a

meritocratic elite and the use of entrance exams. These traditions were in place

before World War 2 in the East Asian countries but they helped aid in the

carrying out of the industrial policies of the post-war government of Japan and

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