In this paper, the concept of “people as the roots” (of the state) is explored through its myriad expressions in Vietnamese history: the emphasis of Vietnamese feudal rulers on fulfilling the people’s will, loving the people, and ensuring peace for the people. From these historical examples, the authors argue that in the politics of Vietnamese traditional Confucianism, there has been the presence of democratic elements. Yet, they do not reflect a full-fledged democracy and should be seen only as signs of (...) village democracy. This view holds an important implication for the process of democratization of modern Vietnamese society: while the concept of “people as the roots” is essential for a village democracy and is valuable for building a democracy, it does not necessarily mean a straightforward translation to a modern democracy. Here, the authors suggest that civil society will play an important role in making this transition smoother. (shrink)

Democracy is an interesting topic that many scholars pay attention to, since it is the foundation of a civil society. There are many factors that contribute to the country’s democracy. Two of many important factors that have a great impact on democracy are the people’s income and education. This study would investigate the relationship among income, level of education and democracy. The study focuses on the eastern cultured country, which is Vietnam after more than a decade of economic transformation in (...) this case. The data is obtained from World Value Survey (wave 5, 2006). The author found out that there is a positive significant relationship between income and democracy, not level of education and democracy by using the correlation statistical method. The author acknowledges some limitation and suggests recommendations for future search. (shrink)

At the conclusion of the Second World War, the countries of East Asia found themselves at a crossroads. Many of their colonial overseers had either withdrawn or were so weak militarily and financially as to be ineffective in maintaining positive control over the countryside.[2] This reduction of colonial influence from the Western colonizers was due to a myriad of factors. The main reason was that many the European states were focusing on rebuilding their infrastructure after the long and bloody war (...) (e.g. France and Britain). This reduction of the Western presence in many East Asian states along with the rise of nationalism, a mythology of humiliation, and a desire for self-rule, further caused an erosion of Western power in East Asia. (shrink)