Exploring State–Doctor Relationships in East Asia: An Anthropological Approach

This article examines state - doctor relationships in East Asia through an anthropological lens, arguing that states and medical professions are mutually dependent. Despite divergent modern histories, East Asian societies remain shaped by Confucianism and traditional medicine, which continue to influence governance and health systems. The authors argue that scholarship has insufficiently addressed the complexities of state - doctor relations in nation-building and public health, proposing an anthropology of medical politics to fill this gap. Drawing on ethnographic studies from China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, the issue explores how medical professionals negotiate state power, market pressures, and professional identity.