Examining power in hierarchical social networks in East Asia

Abstract

In social relationships, differences in power are likely to create differences of unequal/hierarchical status, which in turn may invite pressure on "inferiors" to conform and agree with "superiors." Social networks in East Asia are likely to be hierarchically structured and involve a high degree of network homogeneity because of their two core values of paternalism and harmony. Do their networks malfunction against liberal democratic processes? Ikeda and Takemoto focused on moral tolerance as well as personal/institutional trust, both of which are important elements in the development of social capital in liberal democracies. Ikeda and Takemoto test their predictions using East Asian Social Survey 2012 (EASS 2012) national surveys (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China) and find that hierarchy and harmony in personal networks mostly work against trust, and institutional network harmony orientation works against moral tolerance and trust.