LSE Review of Books’ Post

Conference Keynote announcement We are delighted to announce our keynote speaker Dr Se-Woong Koo, who will be speaking on the topic of "Uses and Abuses of Imagined 'Asia': Neo-Orientalist Representations and Role of Higher Education". With only 2 weeks before the KRC is hosting the 25th Biennial Asian Studies Association of Australia conference at Curtin University 1-4th July 2024, it's still not too late to register. Abstract Even as political, cultural or economic successes of nation-states located in Asia have rendered the region more prominent and influential, essentialist and misleading portrayals of 'Asian' culture and identity continue to dominate contemporary discourse on sites ranging from Western legacy media to ostensibly more democratic social media platforms. To borrow from Islamic studies which has cast light on distortive/distorted modern representations of the Middle East, the Neo-Orientalist tendency currently on display, strengthened by establishment actors in the West and informers of regional heritage, has been instrumental in both affirming the hegemonic Western order and perpetuating stereotypes of Asia today to particular ends. In this speech, I will explore how such simulacra of 'Asia' - and in particular of Korea in which I specialize - retain their potency in a world that appears more interconnected and 'global' than ever before; and what danger they present by limiting space for mutual dialogue and understanding, not only between Asia and the rest but also within the region itself. While much blame is to be laid at the feet of transnational elites who dominate contemporary thinkings about ideal shapes and directions of the world, academia must carve out a role for itself in this conversation rather than simply succumbing to the push for superficial 'global' education at the expense of deeper, more nuanced knowledge that can counter false constructs. Speaker Bio: Se-Woong Koo earned his PhD in Religious Studies with a focus on Korea from Stanford University in 2011. He taught at the Asian University for Women, Ewha Womans University, Yonsei University and Yale University. In 2014 he founded his journalism startup Korea Exposé, an English-language online magazine based in Seoul, and led it until 2019 while contributing regularly to foreign media outlets such as the New York Times, Al Jazeera and BBC. Most recently Koo was a communication consultant at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. He is currently working on a book that examines South Korea's postcolonial memories and relations with Japan. This conference is supported by the Core University Program for Korean Studies through the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and Korean Studies Promotion Service of the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS-2022-OLU-2250005). If you would like to register for this event, please visit our website: www.asaa2024.org

I recently read an article from The Juggernaut, a "community that publishes well-reported stories about South Asia and South Asians." The article is titled 'Who Should Teach South Asian Studies?' It mentions statistics like how two-thirds of the South Asian Studies faculty at Harvard are non-South Asian. The article illuminates how South Asian representation in academia is often contingent upon broader geopolitical interests and power struggles. As nations vied for global influence, the study of South Asia became instrumentalised, serving as a means to advance geopolitical agendas or project soft power. This continued instrumentalisation, however, risks reducing the rich tapestry of South Asian cultures, histories, and identities into mere objects of study for external consumption, thereby perpetuating asymmetrical power relations. I would love know what you all think! https://lnkd.in/eTnExsPy #southasia #community

Ayşe Zarakolis offers a critical perspective on the Eurocentric view of world history, particularly in the context of international relations and political power. Zarakolis makes an argument against the simplistic historical narrative that places the origins of international order in the Westphalian Peace of 1648, suggesting instead that there were established and interconnected political systems in Asia predating the modern European state system. The author delves into the complexities of pre-modern Asian political orders, emphasizing the influence and extent of the Chinggisid world order under Genghis Khan and his descendants, and how those empires managed to govern vast territories and populations, while fostering intercontinental trade and cultural exchange, long before European hegemony. Zarakolis uses the term "world orders" rather than "international orders" to describe these historical systems, considering that they governed over a variety of political entities, not only nation-states. She further illustrates how the Asian world orders played a significant role in shaping modern notions of sovereignty and governance, arguing that they predate and potentially influenced European practices. The author also portrays the dynamic interaction among Asian empires, such as the rivalry between the Timurids and the Ming and the shared norms of the succeeding great powers of the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals, who wielded considerable influence into the 16th century before the rise of European colonialism. The essay challenges the assumption that European dominance in the subsequent centuries was inevitable, instead positing that a combination of crises and structural changes disrupted these Asian world orders and created a vacuum that European powers would later fill. Zarakolis emphasizes the significance of recognizing non-Western historical world orders to expand our understanding of global history and political development. She suggests that recognizing these Eastern orders can challenge the conventional wisdom on the nature of world orders and offer fresh insights into the potential transformations in the international system. The essay not only offers a reframing of historical global power dynamics but also provides a thought-provoking take on how revisiting these narratives can inform our understanding of present and future global challenges. Zarakoli's essay, derived from her book "Before the West". #globalhistory #nations #empires #asia #europe #politics #beforethewest Aeon Media Group Ltd Ayse Zarakol

Thank you so much Erin for having me on your newsletter 🥹 Girl Economics is such a great platform, filled with advice, insights and inspiration from incredible young women, who all have the same purpose: using their experience as a source of advice for younger generations 💪🏼 My 17 years old self would have definitely benefitted from hearing the story of inspiring and successful women she could identify with, so Erin McGurk I am sure you are making a big impact with this 👏🏼💯 In this first part of my interview we talk about: ✅the importance of learning languages for being competitive ✅my journey as a female economics student ✅ some general tips for younger students beginning to think about their future career We also introduce the field of Feminist Economics, but more about this in Part 2 👀If you are interested in women’s empowerment, the intersection of economics with other subjects and finding out about influential female economists, then do read around Feminist Economics - you’ll learn so much about Economics as a discipline 🙌🏼 I tried to be as vulnerable and honest as possible in this interview 🔍 This is because I want to inspire younger students to stop thinking that their success is solely based on grades and achievements, but also on personal identity, the challenges you overcome and the positive impact you make 🚀 Don’t let your insecurities and doubts dictate what you can do! Your story is unique, so find something that drives you and let it ignite your passion for the subject 📈

Journal of Chinese Humanities Journal of Chinese Humanities, a Diamond Open Access journal, is an English-language extension of Literature, History and Philosophy (Wen Shi Zhe 《文史哲》), a famous Chinese journal published by Shandong University. The content is not restricted to one aspect of Chinese culture but rather spans important topics within the fields of Chinese history, philosophy, and literature. It covers both traditional and modern areas of re-search. Importantly, as opposed to most English language journals that treat on Chinese studies, this journal aims to represent the current research coming out of mainland China. Thus each issue will be composed primarily of articles from Chinese scholars working at Chinese institutions, while at the same time including a small number of articles from foreign authors so as to provide opposing perspectives. This way, top scholars in China can be read in the Western world, and our Western readers will benefit from a native perspective and first hand material and research coming out of China. https://lnkd.in/eU3PXPjb #china #humanities #tcm #brill

Today, societies around the world are confronting unprecedented challenges and there is an urgent need for in-depth understanding of cultures, languages, economies and beliefs. Humanities subjects, including languages, provide knowledge, evidence and insight, and equip and enable governments to address these urgent challenges. Find out more about how humanities and languages can change the world in the The British Academy manifesto for the Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts. #Languages #Society #BetterFuture #ChangeTheWorld

In international relations, too, until recently, students were taught that there was no international order (and thus no international relations) until the 17th century, until Europeans created a regional order via the Westphalian Peace in 1648 and then expanded that around the world. The rest of the world was assumed to be disconnected, stuck in their regional silos, uninterested in the wider world, until European actors connected them first to Europe, and then to each other. There was a ‘Chinggisid’ world order as created by Genghis (Chinggis) Khan and members of his house (13th-14th centuries), followed by the ‘post-Chinggisid’ world order of the Timurids and the early Ming (14th-15th centuries) and, finally, a globalising world with its core position occupied by three post-Timurid (and, therefore, Chinggisid) empires (15th-17th centuries): the Ottomans, the Safavids and the Mughals (along with the Habsburgs). These orders were also linked to each other just as our contemporary order is linked to the 19th-century international order – there was a continuity in their shared norms. In each of these periods, the world was dominated and ordered by great houses who justified their sovereignty along Chinggisid lines. https://lnkd.in/dTs7cG7F

📢 Call for Papers! 📚 We're excited to announce the 18th Southeast Asian Studies Graduate Symposium, set to take place on Friday, June 14, 2024. This event is proudly organized by the Southeast Asian Studies Program at the Graduate School of Chulalongkorn University. We invite submissions of papers covering a wide range of topics related to Southeast Asia, including but not limited to: - Politics - Economics - Religion - Culture - Gender - Language and literature - Ethnicity - Migration - Urban Studies - Environment - Development Studies - Foreign Affairs

👉 By analyzing a representative survey (n=167), the talk will investigate how the opinions of Chinese sociologists on this matter depend on their position in the academic space. By adopting a Bourdieusian perspective, we will explain why the majority of Chinese sociologists consider the development of indigenous theories to be compatible with the utilization of sociological theories originating in Western countries.

📜 Unraveling the Historical Fabric: Exploring the Origins of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Inhabitants 🌄 Our present paper delves deep into the annals of history to unveil the intricate tapestry of the people residing in the modern-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. 🇵🇰 Through a meticulous analysis, we navigate through a plethora of arguments, shedding light on the ethnic and tribal structures that have shaped the region since time immemorial. 💡 Drawing insights from primary source materials and the seminal works of esteemed scholars and historians, our discourse presents a comprehensive understanding of the region's socio-cultural landscape. 📚 Moreover, we underscore the pivotal significance of Central Asia, not only for South Asia at large but specifically for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accentuating the enduring connections that transcend borders. 🌍 In an era dominated by digital advancements, we recognize the enduring relevance of cross-border interactions, emphasizing the cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic ties that bind communities across borders. 💬 With an unwavering commitment to impartiality and objectivity, we navigate through diverse notions and ideas surrounding the human population of this esteemed province. 🤝 Join us on this scholarly journey as we uncover the rich history and profound insights into the inhabitants of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, offering a nuanced understanding of its past and present. 🏔️ #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #HistoricalAnalysis #SocioCulturalLandscape #CentralAsia #CrossBorderRelations 🌿 To read full article go to https://lnkd.in/emWdiy3T