Draconian lockdown measures and universal mask adoption in East Asia are often attributed to a cultural tendency to be "obedient" or "compliant," in contrast to the free, individualistic Western mindset.

This is an inaccurate, self-aggrandizing narrative.

1 in 7 Hong Kongers took to the streets for half of 2019, waving flags & demanding freedoms. Brawls break out in parliament, as one did today.

The Sunflower Movement saw Taiwanese youth occupy parliament for weeks to protest a trade deal with China and achieved their aims.

South Korea recently saw massive demonstrations that ousted a sitting President for corruption and have toppled authoritarian governments twice.

There's no denying that East Asian societies tend to uphold communitarian values and still bear attitudes shaped by Confucianism,

but to chalk it up to "subservience" is the wrong diagnosis. The people of these countries are not automatons, blindly following the rules of their government overlords because of some sort of unique cultural psychology.

Perhaps they have competent technocrats in power?

Perhaps it has to do with high levels of science literacy?

It's condescending to assume that blind deference to authority is the reason for its results and it creates a self-defeating illusion for the West that Asia's results cannot be attained because of cultural determinism.