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Introduction to Orientalism

This section on Orientalism will present the main points from SOCY 235 Week 4 Lecture 2.

Definition:

The representation of Asia, especially the Middle East, in a stereotyped way that is regarded as embodying a colonialist attitude.

The term Orient(talism) was coined by the Palestinian American scholar, literary critic, and academic Edward Said. Said argued the West created a distorted image of the East, portraying Eastern societies as backward, irrational, and exotic

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"A way of coming to terms with the Orient that is based on the Orient's special place in European Western experience" (Said, 1979, p.1 ).

Orient

  • A Western invention

  • Constructed in opposition to the West

  • More than just a geographical place, but also the Western idea and image of the East

The Orient is not an objective concept, but an idea that exists only in contrast to the Occident.

Within Said's description, Orientalism is a way of coming to terms with the Orient for the West, a method of self-actualization for the West; Orientalism makes the West "feel good about itself". 

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  • Modern

  • Scientific

  • Developed

  • Progressive

  • Rational

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  • Exotic

  • Mysterious

  • Primitive

  • Backward

  • Irrational

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Academic Orientalism

The academic study of the Orient 

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The study of Orientalism appears objective and scientific, but has actually been shaped by ideas of Western superiority.
 

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Orientalism as a way of Thinking

A style of thought based on the distinction made between 'the Orient' and 'the Occident.'

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Based on a rigid division between the Orient in the East and the Occident in the West.

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Orientalism as a System of Power

A Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient.

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Said draws on Foucault to argue that Orientalism is a system of power that produces ideas about the Orient, authorizes who can speak about those ideas, shapes institutions, and has material consequences.

Three Types of Orientalism

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Important Points About What Orientalism is

"a distribution of geopolitical awareness into aesthetic, philosophical, scholarly, economical, sociological, historical texts ...
... an elaboration not only of a geographical distinction (the world is made up of unequal
geographical halves, Orient and Occident) but also a whole series of interests ...
... a discourse that is not in direct corresponding relation with political power in the now but is produced and exchanged with various kinds of power ...
... a considerable dimension of modern political-intellectual culture, and as such has less to do with the Orient than it does with 'our' world." (p.12)

Orientalism is About Power

  • A vehicle for imperialism (helped Europe expand its rule overseas).

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  • Supports colonial interests (Orient is portrayed as backward to justify conquest)

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  • Operates in a system of domination (Orient studied, described, and ruled, but never represents itself)

Stuart Hall - The West Vs. The Rest

  • "The West" is not just a place but an idea about being modern, developed, and superior.

  • The West emerged historically through European expansion, colonization, and global trade.

  • The West defines itself in contrast to "the Rest," which is portrayed as traditional and inferior.

  • This creates binary oppositions: modern/traditional, civilized/primitive

  • These ideas form a discourse (a system of knowledge and power), which produces "truths" to justify domination and empire.

  • Knowledge about non-Western societies mix fact, myth, and fantasy, where representations about the West are often idealized and sexualized.

  • The way the West talked about others helped create global inequality

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The Clash of Civilizations (Huntington)

  • After the Cold War, global conflict will be driven mainly by culture.

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  • The world can be divided into 8 major civilizations (Sinic, Hindu, Orthodox, Japanese, African, Islamic, Latin America, Western).

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  • Civilizations differ greatly in religion, values, and cultures.

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  • The main global divide will be the conflict between the West and the Rest.

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  • Alliances will increasingly form along cultural and civilizational lines.

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  • The West must defend itself against 'the Rest.'

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Orientalism Today

  • Representations of the "Orient" are still prevalent in media, popular discourse, and academic circles.

  • Local perspectives from the countries in the Global East are largely absent.

  • Geopolitics continues to shape orientalist discourse and representation.

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