Asian Studies

There are many things in the West which those in the East admire, especially when it comes to business tactics and strategies and education. For example, American businessmen and women have mastered the "art of the deal" and have been able to amass great fortunes and much social and political prestige. Much of this has to do with the democratic system in the United States which allows greater financial freedom than the communist system in China and has less restrictive measures like tariffs and other forms of tax. Also, the educational system in the West is one of the finest in the world and boasts some of the greatest educational institutions to be found, such as Harvard with its often copied world-class business school. Although great educational institutions do exist in Asia, they are not as open and free when it comes to choosing a course of study, something which most Asians greatly admire and which influences them to come to the U.S. To study such areas as medicine, engineering and computer science.

In contrast, some of the things which those in the West admire about the East are much more centered on the social framework in countries like Japan, Taiwan and even China. For instance, people in the East tend to consider the whole of society, rather than their own material gain when it comes to work and family. People in the East are also more socially progressive and tend to consider more closely what impact their actions will have on society. Also, as a result of strict gun laws, the crime rate in Asia is far less than what it is in the U.S. which Westerners admire as a way to bring about peace and security for all. Perhaps the most important thing which Westerners admire about the East is based on religion, for in Asia, religions like Buddhism and Shintoism in Japan promotes peace of mind, transcendence and contemplation and focuses much more on individual spirituality.