AIA300 Australia Asia From Yellow Peril to Asian Century

Introduction

This paper aims to explore the Concept of Orientalism basing on Edward Said and from other sources. Therefore, a proper explanation regarding the concept of Orientalism is provided. In addition, the concept is also used to discuss the relationships, as well as help individuals, understand the engagements that exist between Asia and Australia.

Explanation

In providing an explanation regarding the Orientalism, it is important to understand the meaning of the term. The Concept of Orientalism can be defined as a way or method of seeing that creates emphasis, imagines, distorts, and exaggerates the differences existing between the Arab cultures and peoples as compared to those of the United States and Europe (Baba, 2015 pp.163). Usually, through the concept of Orientalism, the Arab Culture is viewed as uncivilized, backward, exotic and at some point, it is seen as dangerous. Edward Said also defined this concept as a way of acceptance in regard to the East and West basic distinctions which is seen as the beginning point to explain the novels, epics, social images as well as theories which concern the Orient or rather the customs and the people. Through Orientalism, a rationalization for colonization by the Europeans was achieved and hence there was a need to rescue the western intervention. Several examples of Orientalism were the European photographs and paintings, as well as the images obtained during the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries from the World’s Fair in the United States. The concept of Orientalism had an impact on various fields and for instance, it altered the direction of areas which include anthropology, history, and the literary studies (Connell, 2015 pp.33). Various authors such as Said and Kennedy Valerie employed the concept of Orientalism in a various ways. For instance, it was used in describing a research body and writing, it was used as a kind of style of thoughts which based on differences existing between the Occident and the Orient, and finally, it was used as a method of in a material outcome.

More explanation about the Concept of Orientalism is that it indicates that a large part of the Western Study, especially the civilization of Islam was a way in the political intellectualism and also an exercise in psychology which helps in self-affirmation which in this case refers to the European identity. The Orientists claims to have much knowledge concerning the relationship between the Concept of Orientalism and the representations of culture which are viewed as means of exercising control or domination. In explaining further about the Concept of Orientalism, it can be concluded that the concept is fictional since it presents the Orients as irrational, non-European, feminized as well as psychologically weak (Kennedy, 2013 pp.10). Therefore, it plays a big role in creating the European culture and it helps in defining the contrasting the European image, experiences, personalities, and ideas. The Concept of Orientalism has had a major impact on various areas such as the human geography, the cultural studies and others as seen in this paper such as the literal theory (Machart, Dervin, and Gao, 2015 pp.15). Critics have been presented regarding the Concept of Orientalism, and especially Paul De Man indicates that Said took a significant step to analyze it more than any other scholar, and hence he opts to remain in the rhetorical analysis.

Relevance of Orientalism through Australia and Asia Relationship

The Concept of Orientalism is relevant since it helps individuals understand the international relations which exist between various nations. For this paper, the Concept of Orientalism is relevant as presented in the discussion and it has been used by individuals to understand the relationships and engagements which exist between Australia and Asia (Mackie, Johnson and Morris-Suzuki, 2015 pp.1). Clearly, the two nations Asia and Australia have a long history of their engagements. Through the concept of Orientalism the enthusiasm which is felt between the two nations assists in building the ties in the 1980s and 1990s (Said, 1978 pp.2001). The scholars who engaged in talking about Asia were obliged to look at the actual achievements of Australia which is viewed as its major predecessor. Orientalism helps the scholars to understand that the Pacific Asian Region was a crucial region to the Australian policies and especially the Menzies government assisted in opening the independent missions within Asia.

Through the concept of Orientalism, the national interests between Australia and Asia are identified since clearly, Australia pays much attention since Asia has many abiding and substantial interests which cannot be ignored. For instance, Australia entails the economic and the substantial trade interests even after Asia experiences the economic crisis it can set a pace through Australia to export its products to other parts of the world. Australia contains a stable and a prosperous economy which can be looked upon by other markets which are developing (Salter, 2013 pp.15). However, Australia still seeks a closer relationship with Asia since there are several benefits which are attained from the friendship hence it realizes the mutual interest which exists. In another view, the Concept of Orientalism is relevant since it helps in understanding the ties which are built between Australia and Asia under the Federation governments. Clearly, the future of Australia is tied up with Asia since it concentrated in delivering tangible results to develop the advances in security as well as promoting jobs for the Australians. At the time when Asia experienced Economic challenges, Australia played a big role to maintain the economic performance of the nation. Therefore, the two nations have always had a significant commitment to liberate and transform each other (Talib, Sidik and Jamsari, 2014 pp.440). This relationship shows the relevance of the Concept of Orientalism since from the definition Said indicated that Orientalism is a way of seeing, distorting, creating emphasis and imaginations regarding the differences which existed among the Arab cultures and peoples.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Concept of Orientalism is relevant as seen in the explanation and the discussion presented regarding the Australia and the Asia relationships and engagements which prevail. Therefore, the Concept of Orientalism helps to seal the uncivilization and the backwardness which existed between the two nations. In addition, the social descriptions, the theories regarding social relations and the political accounts existing within Asia and Australia shows how Orientalism is depicted. 

References

Baba, G., 2015. Faraway so Close!: The Effect of Asian Values on Australia's Interactions with East Asia. Insight Turkey, 17(2), p.163.

Connell, R., 2015. Australia in the global dynamics of social science: De-centring Europe and de-mythologising the ‘Asian Century’. The Social Sciences in the Asian Century, pp.31-50.

Kennedy, V., 2013. Edward Said: A critical introduction. John Wiley & Sons.

Machart, R., Dervin, F. and Gao, M. eds., 2015. Intercultural masquerade: New orientalism, new occidentalism, old exoticism. Springer.

Mackie, V., Johnson, C. and Morris-Suzuki, T., 2015. Australia, the Asia-Pacific and the social sciences. IN THE ASIAN CENTURY, p.1.

Said, E., 1978. Orientalism: Western concepts of the Orient. Delhi: Penguin, 1995, p.2001.

Salter, P., 2013. The problem in policy: Representations of Asia literacy in Australian education for the Asian century. Asian Studies Review, 37(1), pp.3-23.

Talib, N.M., Sidik, R. and Jamsari, E., 2014. Orientalist methodology in the study of Islamic history and civilization. In The Proceedings The 5th International Symposium on Islamic, Civilization and Science (pp. 438-455).