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A review by theeuphoriczat
Orientalism by Edward W. Said
4.0
Book Review
.
Orientalism is a post-colonial textbook (so it was quite tedious to read, especially because of the withdrawn monotonous nature of Said’s writing & arguments). However, I consider it a must read for anyone who is interested in learning more about imperialist projects and the role western scholarship played in perpetuating colonialism and imperialism.
.
Orientalism refers to the western scholarship and discourse about the east. In this book, however, Said further argues that orientalism is not just an academic field but a form of cultural and political domination. He starts by tracing the history of orientalist thinking, illustrating the role it played in justifying colonialism and reinforcing power dynamics between the west and east (or orient). Orientalism is a dynamic fosters a binary opposition between the orient and the occident, this dynamic portrays the east as exotic, backward and in need of western guidance.
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On central theme is the relationship between knowledge and power. Said argues that orientalism is not a neutral academic pursuit (both then and now) but it is a tool of imperialism, influencing political decisions and propagating stereotypes.
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As we see at the end of the book where Said discussed what Orientalism is now: we see that Orientalism has taken the approach of dealing with the east not in good faith but as a tool of continued ‘othering’ of the east - I dare say, as a way to learn skills to manipulate and siphon of eastern resources under the guise of international relations or international law.
.
It is easy to see what Said meant when we consider how and which countries international law and diplomacy seem to apply to. The west has created the so called international law, only for it to apply to the east and serve as a cover for the west and their allies.
.
I highly recommend this book.
.
Orientalism is a post-colonial textbook (so it was quite tedious to read, especially because of the withdrawn monotonous nature of Said’s writing & arguments). However, I consider it a must read for anyone who is interested in learning more about imperialist projects and the role western scholarship played in perpetuating colonialism and imperialism.
.
Orientalism refers to the western scholarship and discourse about the east. In this book, however, Said further argues that orientalism is not just an academic field but a form of cultural and political domination. He starts by tracing the history of orientalist thinking, illustrating the role it played in justifying colonialism and reinforcing power dynamics between the west and east (or orient). Orientalism is a dynamic fosters a binary opposition between the orient and the occident, this dynamic portrays the east as exotic, backward and in need of western guidance.
.
On central theme is the relationship between knowledge and power. Said argues that orientalism is not a neutral academic pursuit (both then and now) but it is a tool of imperialism, influencing political decisions and propagating stereotypes.
.
As we see at the end of the book where Said discussed what Orientalism is now: we see that Orientalism has taken the approach of dealing with the east not in good faith but as a tool of continued ‘othering’ of the east - I dare say, as a way to learn skills to manipulate and siphon of eastern resources under the guise of international relations or international law.
.
It is easy to see what Said meant when we consider how and which countries international law and diplomacy seem to apply to. The west has created the so called international law, only for it to apply to the east and serve as a cover for the west and their allies.
.
I highly recommend this book.