Asia Pacific: Perspectives

Volume IINumber 1February 2002

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CONTENTS

Exploring Korean Values
Steven R. Brown and Byung-Ok Kil....................1 Download this article as a PDF file (168 Kb)

The contours of the Korean value system are examined both extensively and through an intensive single-case study in which a representative personality is invited to appraise a set of historical figures under various conditions of instruction focused on Confucian and other values. The Q sample is comprised of the names of 50 historical and contemporary figures (e.g., Kim Ok-Gyun, assassinated reformer of the late Yi dynasty; Chun Bong-Joon, religious leader associated with peasant revolts in the late 19th century; Lee Hwang, 15th century Confucian scholar, et al.). Initially, 25 Korean students Q sorted the 50 names from appealing to unappealing, producing two factors. Intensive studies involved Q-sort appraisals in terms of values such as In (Chinese Jen, humanity, virtuousness), Eui (Chinese Yi, righteousness and sense of duty), Yea (Chinese Li, propriety), and others. Discussion considers sources of stability and change in Korean values.

Transnationalization of Faith: The Americanization of Christianity in the Philippines and the Filipinization of Christianity in the United States
Joaquin L. Gonzalez III....................9 Download this article as a PDF file (184 Kb)

The historical coverage of bilateral relations between the Philippines and the United States has always been stacked in favor of the latter. For decades, scholars have written about America’s impact on Philippine society, government, economics, and culture. However, the mass migration of Filipinos globally, and in particular to the United States, has turned the focus of attention to the growing influence and contributions of the former to American society. This article moves from a one-sided bilateral view of relations between the two states to a more two-way, transnational perspective. An interesting area that has emerged is religion, since Filipino immigrants not only bring with them their political ideals and economic quest but their deep faith. It argues that the Spanish and American Christianization of the Philippines also precipitated a Filipinization of American Christian churches, especially in California, which is the adopted home of close to a million Filipino immigrants.

Complementary Role of the Rohri Hills and the Thar Desert in the Development of Indus Valley Civilization: New Research
Qasid H. Mallah, Nilofer Shaikh, and G. M. Veesar....................21 Download this article as a PDF file (6.9 Mb)

The archaeological research on the lndus Valley Civililization (3000 B.C-1500 B.C.) has contributed much to the understanding of this highly-complex civilization. However, the conventional view that the civilization flourished mainly on the banks of the Indus river has been increasingly challenged. This paper provides original data to show that geographical regions once considered inhospitable to the growth and extension of the Indus Valley civilization (namely the Rohri Hills and the Thar Desert), were in fact quite conducive to human settlement. To make our case we provide a significant set of empirical data collected during our archaeological fieldwork from the Thar, Rohri Hills and its adjacent areas to give a fuller vision of historical culture developments from the Palaeolithic to the lndus period.

A New Era of International Trade: A Study of Asian, North American, and Latin American Regional Associations
Rolf Màrio Treuherz....................32 Download this article as a PDF file (152 Kb)

The need to achieve competitive advantage in foreign trade operations has led both developed and developing countries to join forces. A new balance of power was generated by the formation of regional associations in the global marketplace. This trend brought about a new era in the field of international relations, as a direct consequence of liberalization of trade and capital flows impelled by globalization. In this context, where disputes among nations can become endless, it is easy to understand the growing importance of the WTO (World Trade Organization) as a ruler and mediator. On the other hand, forming an opinion about possible consequences of this new order upon world trade, involves a thorough comprehension of the objectives and forms of organization of the existing trade agreements.

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