Asian Paradigm Theory states that there is a significant difference between the Western and Asian concept of justice, produced by differences in social organization and cultural traditions. On one hand, Asians tend to stress three important cultural values: attachment, honor, and harmony. At the other end, Western society tends to stress independence, materialistic success, and individual rights. Asian participants tend to use a “holistic thinking mode,” while Western counterparts tend to use an “analytical thinking mode.” The theory states that the differences in cultural values and thinking modes produce differences in the concept of crime and justice. Asians tend to conceive the concept of crime and justice as relational concepts, and Westerners tend to conceive the concept of crime and justice as individualistic concepts. This article uses Asian Paradigm Theory to explore approaches to the issue of access to justice, which suggest that the Asian concept of justice and practice may offer a more suitable approach to access to justice under the context of Asian societies.
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