> Quite the opposite: as in most Asian societies, there is an overarching emphasis on social harmony, face saving, etc.
to be fair, it's not actually different. in both cases, the more powerful person gets to say what they want and everybody else has to agree or remain quiet.
in America, you can get targeted by the state for peaceful protests or posting something on social media in the past because you're a "homegrown terrorist". in Thailand, as described here, you can get arrested for peaceful protest or something you posted in the past.
freedom has always meant freedom of the rich and powerful.
No, it is different, at least in degree if not at the extremes. My wife is an American and the directness and bluntness with which she and her family talk to each other still shocks me after 15 years of knowing them. Even if there are practical limits to American free speech, it’s apparent from simple inspection that there’s a distinctive cultural basis for this political right.
to be fair, it's not actually different. in both cases, the more powerful person gets to say what they want and everybody else has to agree or remain quiet.
in America, you can get targeted by the state for peaceful protests or posting something on social media in the past because you're a "homegrown terrorist". in Thailand, as described here, you can get arrested for peaceful protest or something you posted in the past.
freedom has always meant freedom of the rich and powerful.