Social Equity in the Asia-Pacific Region, 1st ed. 2019 Conceptualizations and Realities

This book examines the concept and public service value of social equity in public administration research and practice outside of the Western context, considering the influence that historical, cultural, and social trends of Asian and Pacific societies may have on how social equity is conceptualized and realized in the Asia-Pacific region. The book presents the results of an effort by a group of scholars from seven countries (Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, The Philippines, and Singapore), one American State (the Hawaiian Islands), and the Pacific Islands to discover what social equity means in their respective contexts. It concludes by synthesizing and analyzing the chapter authors? findings to advance a more global conceptualization of social equity.

1. Introduction: In Search of a More Global Definition of Social Equity.- 2. Understanding Social Equity in Public Administration.- 3. Characteristics and Cultures in the Asia-Pacific Region.- 4. Ho’oponopono and the Kānaka Maoli: The Elusive Quest for Social Equity in the Hawaiian Islands.- 5. Social (In)equity in Australia?.- 6. Social Equity in the Pacific Islands.- 7. “Two Chinas”: Social Equity, Social Policies and the Urban-Rural Divide in China.- 8. A Hong Kong Way of Social Equity.- 9. Social Equity in Japan.- 10. Social Equity and Public Sector Employment in the Republic of Korea.- 11. Social Equity in the Philippines: A Continuing-But Elusive-Promise.- 12. Social Equity in Singapore.- 13. Towards a More Global Understanding of Social Equity.

Morgen Johansen is Professor and Director of the Public Administration Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, USA.