Volda-Griffith Austral-Asian Study
Immersion Program 2010
• An Overview of Asia
• Wayne Muller
• Griffith University
• 13th September 2010
1
Presentation Structure
• Five Sections:
(1) “Defining ‘Asia’, and issues of cultural perspective.”
(2) Geography, demography ethnography, and ecological
aspects of ‘Asia’.
(3) The traditional legacies of Asia.
(4) Colonialism, imperialism and nationalism in Asia.
(5) The characteristics of modernisation and globalisation
in Asia.
2
Section 1
• “Defining ‘Asia’, and issues of cultural
perspective.”
3
Section Structure
• (1) Defining “Asia” geographically- the concept
of “many Asias”.
• (2) Defining “Asia” historically- the concept
of “Orientalism”.
• (3) Defining “Asia”- dealing with stereotypes.
• (4) The concept of “cultural perspective”.
• (5) Some commonly claimed “Asian
perspectives/ values”.
• (6) “Asian perceptions” of Australia.
4
(1) Defining “Asia” geographically- the concept of
“many Asias”.
• (1) Boundaries of Asia- clear cut and
blurred?
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• (2) Enormity/ diversity of Asia.
• Knight Reading 1
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• (3) Sub regions of Asia.
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• (4) Geographical reality or term of
convenience?
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• (5) “Many Asias”• Diversity within Asia and within Asian
countries
• Change and the modernisation/
westernisation debate
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(2) Defining “Asia” historically- the concept of
“Orientalism”.
• (A) Edward Said’s Thesis:
• “The West defined the East in order to
colonise and dominate it.”
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• (B) Some definitions of “Orientalism”
• (1) ".........The European vision of all Eastern peoples as
exotic, remote, inferior, and subject to the political,
military, economic, cultural, and sexual dominance of
the west".
(Broinowski:1992:2)
• (Some Australian manifestations of
“Orientalism”- Paranoia/ White Australia/
racist cartoons.)
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• (2) "......that powerful past image of Asia as
poor, military, threatening and exotic has been
replaced by a new, just as simple yet
ambivalent image of Asia as rich (and also
poor). An Asia beckoning us simultaneously
with economic opportunities; and still exotic".
(Viviani:1990:2)
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• (3) "The east contemplated the forest; the
west counted the trees. ...................The
mind that knows the trees and the forest is
a new mind".
(Ferguson:1987:87)
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(3) Defining “Asia”- dealing with stereotypes
• (1) Stereotypes- the need to generalise?
• (2) Classifying stereotypes, for example:
– Romantic stereotypes
– Repugnant stereotypes
– Realistic stereotypes ( de Souza 1992: 6)
• (3) Analysing and challenging
stereotypes.
– Eg “All Asians look alike”.
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(4) The concept of “cultural perspective”.
• Concepts of 'World View'/ Core Values/
Attitudes/ Perceptions/ etc
• Importance of 'Reality Constructors'
• Ethnocentrism: The subjectivity of 'Common
Sense‘ (eg the grasshopper)
• The Emic and the Etic Perspectives *****
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• Strengths, weaknesses and paradoxes in all
societies
• Problem of making moral judgments from our
perspective- “In order to know the other, one
must other the known.”
• “Cultural Relativism” versus “Moral
Relativism” (Evans: Reading 2)
• Case study of “Education” from multiple
perspectives (Milner and Quilty: Reading 3)
20
(4) The concept of “cultural perspective”- some
examples.
• (1) "I think, therefore I am".
– (Individualism) western?
• (2) ”I am because we are and we are because I
am".
– (Group oriented) Oriental? Traditional?
• Or
• (1) Western dichotomy.
– E.G. Male......................Female
• (2) Eastern dualism/ holism.
– E.G. Yang......................Yin
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(5) Some commonly claimed “Asian perspectives/
values”.
• (1) “The Good Society”
• Harmony/ order
– (Contrasted with Western notions of
“freedom”)
• Hierarchy
– (Contrasted with Western notions of
“egalitarianism”)
– within Asia
– within one society
– gender based
– sources of the concept
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• Group identity
– (Contrasted with Western individualism)
• "Strong" leadership
– (Contrasted with Western aversion to
“authoritarianism”)
• Respect
– (Knowing one's proper place)
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5) Some commonly claimed “Asian perspectives/
values” (continued).
• (2) “Behaviour Patterns”
• Belief systems including a diversity of religions
(c.f. “secular” Australia)
• Core values of honour, face and shame
• Formality and protocol
• Hiding one's feelings
• Don't give offence
• Consensus decision making
• Meeting deadlines
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(6) “Asian perceptions” of Australia.
• Knowledge limitations (e.g. textbook
stereotypes: the sheep farm, the beach and the
tourist resort; media representations)
• Lifestyle stereotypes (e.g. outdoors, beach,
sport, BBQs)
• Stereotypes of 'national characteristics' (e.g.
friendly, relaxed, lazy, etc.)
• Racism ('White Australia')
26
(6) “Asian perceptions” of Australia (continued).
• Our openness, directness and criticism of some
Asian issues (e.g. human rights) are seen as
rudeness and “white arrogance”.
• Culturally immature
• Puzzled by our 'national identity':-the flag and
the head of state
• Weak commitment to citizenship
• Problems in business dealings (e.g. meeting
deadlines)
27
• A “mine” and a “beach”
Section 2: Geography, demography ethnography,
and ecological aspects of ‘Asia’
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GEOGRAPHY
• Size and diversity
• Physical characteristics/ plate tectonics
• Regionalism
• Mainland Asia/ peninsula Asia/ archipelago Asia
• Rural Asia/ urban Asia
• Desert Asia (hot and cold)/ equatorial Asia/
tropical Asia
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GEOGRAPHY (Continued)
• The characteristics and importance of
'monsoon Asia’
• Riverine and coastal geographies
• Hydro culture/ rice culture
• Asia and 'natural disasters'
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• The characteristics and importance of
'monsoon Asia’
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40
• Riverine and coastal geographies
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• Hydro culture/ rice culture
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• Asia and 'natural disasters'
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Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami
26th December 2004
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Tsunami Damage Sumatra
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Pakistan Floods August-September 2010
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Pakistan Floods August-September 2010
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Pakistan Floods August-September 2010
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Pakistan Floods August-September 2010
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DEMOGRAPHY
• (Reading 4: Mackerras Chapter 35)
• Population distribution/ density/ totals
• Various demographic indicators
• Culturally based attitudes to
reproduction and parenting:
• Children as a 'resource'
• The 'male child', etc.
54
DEMOGRAPHY (Continued)
• Population growth rates
• Huge variations
• Population control measures
• Family planning/ abortion/ infanticide
• Government demographic policies
• China's 'one child policy'
• Singapore's 'marriage policy', etc.
55
DEMOGRAPHY (Continued)
• Population mobility
• (A) International migration
– Within Asia eg “Nanyang”
– Beyond Asia, including Australia
– (Immigration debate and refugees)
• (B) Internal migration
– (1) Urbanisation/ city growth/ urban problems.
• eg Bangkok, Seoul
– (2) Government initiated migration programs:
• China's 'special economic zones’
• Indonesia's transmigration program
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ETHNOGRAPHY
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ETHNOGRAPHY
• Classification- ethnic and linguistic criteria
• Han/ “non Han”/ Mongoloid/ Indo-Aryan/
Dravidian/ Malay/ Melanesian/ Micronesian/
etc
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ETHNOGRAPHY (continued)
• Intra-Asian migrations
• Overseas Chinese- 'nanyang‘
• Multi-racial societies
• Indigenous minorities
• Ainu/ non-Han Chinese/ Dyaks/ people of Irian
Jaya/ etc
70
ETHNOGRAPHY (Continued)
• Intra-Asian racism
• Ethnicity and nationalism
71
ENVIRONMENT
• Asia as a sub-set of global environmental issues
and debates:
• “People overpopulation” and “consumption
overpopulation”
• Asia in the context of first world/ third world
environmental controversies:
• The nexus between development and
environmental issues; the green revolution
72
ENVIRONMENT (Continued)
• Asian 'attitudes' to the environment- can we
generalise?
• The environmental 'harmony' of hydro culture/
slash and burn?
• Urban environmental issues in Asia
• A 'national case study' eg. Japan, Malaysia
73
ENVIRONMENT (Continued)
• Specific environmental issues:
 Endangered species- e.g. Bengal tiger, panda
 Rain forest extinction- e.g. logging in Malaysia,
Indonesia, Thailand, 1997 forest fires
 Water management issues, including dams- e.g. the
three gorges dam, dams and water sharing of the
Mekong
 Corporate irresponsibility- e.g. Minamata disease,
Bhopal
 Land degradation- e.g. hillside farming
 Urban problems- e.g. Bangkok traffic, smoky
mountain in Manila, air pollution in Chinese cities, etc.
 Displacement of traditional peoples by forestry,
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mining, dams, tourism, etc.
Section 3: The Traditional Legacies of Asia
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Introductory Points
• Using “reason” or “faith” as the catalyst for
analysis?
• Are “spirituality” and “being religious”
synonymous?
• The subjective circumstances of the acquisition
of a belief system?
• Equal validity and subjectivity of all belief
systems and religions? An example of cultural
relativism.
• “Orthodox teaching” versus “actual practices”
• “Moderates” and “fundamentalists”
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Hinduism
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Buddhism
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Islam
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Confucianism
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Shintoism
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BELIEF SYSTEMS, PHILOSOPHIES,
INTELLECTUAL LEGACIES, CODES FOR LIVING
• "SECULAR"
"RELIGIOUS"
(GROUP IDENTITY, (HUMAN MORTALITY
NATIONALISM)
AND SUPERSTITION)
* Confucianism
* Communism
* Capitalism
* Bushido
* Hinduism
* Islam
* Buddhism*
* Christianity
* Taoism
* Shintoism
* Animism/
Shamanism/ Magic
103
SOME WAYS OF CLASSIFYING “BELIEF SYSTEMS”
• (1) Universalistic <-----> Community
Religions
Religions
(Plus sects/ denominations)
• (2) Monodeism <----> Polydeism <---> Nondeistic
*Islam
*Christianity
*Hinduism
*Taoism
*Shintoism
*Animism
*Buddhism
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SOME WAYS OF CLASSIFYING “BELIEF SYSTEMS”
• (3) “Tolerant <----> “Exclusive, expansionary
Religions”
intolerant Religions”
*Buddhism?
Christianity??
*Shintoism?
Islam??
Judaism??
• (4) Religions with a focus on “Nature”
* Hinduism--- “Gods of…..”
* Taoism---Yin-yang, balance, harmony,
earth’s natural energy, feng shui, etc
* Shintoism---Kami
* Animism---Eg: Indonesian spirits, exorcism,
etc
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SOME WAYS OF CLASSIFYING “BELIEF SYSTEMS”
• (5) Religions subject to “syncretism”
– Balinese Hinduism
– Javanese Islam
– Filipino Christianity
• (6) Belief systems which stress hierarchy/
respect
–
–
–
–
All-, but especially:
Confucianism (filial piety, etc)
Hinduism (Caste system, etc)
Islam (gender based hierarchy, etc)
Buddhism (self respect/ self discipline)
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SOME WAYS OF CLASSIFYING “BELIEF SYSTEMS”
• (7) Group Oriented <---> Individualistic
* Confucianism
* Christianity (both?)
* Shintoism
* Buddhism (both?)
• (8) Accceptance
of the
<-------->
status quo
* Hinduism
* Islam
Progress oriented/
perfectability
* Christianity
* Buddhism
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SOME WAYS OF CLASSIFYING “BELIEF SYSTEMS”
• (9) Reincarnation <------> Single life
(Multiple lives)
(Heaven or equivalent)
* Hinduism
* Christianity
(incl animals)
* Islam
* Buddhism
(Nirvana)
• (10) Religious observance
* Shrine/ church/ temple/ mosque
* Home
* Individual
108
SOME WAYS OF CLASSIFYING “BELIEF SYSTEMS”
• (11) Religion and “the State”
• Islam- strong link: eg Malaysia and Indonesia
• Confucianism-was the state
• Community religions- ignore the state
• (12) Religions and “Modernity”
• Modernisation and secualarisation?
• The role of the mass media and popular culture?
• As the basis of a set of “Asian values”?
109
Section 4: Colonialism, Imperialism and
Nationalism in Asia
• Motives: “Gold, God and Glory”
• Colonial Patterns:
– Britain- India, Burma, Hong Kong, Malaya,
Singapore
– France- Indo-China (modern day Vietnam, Laos
and Cambodia)
– Holland- “The East Indies” (modern day Indonesia)
– Spain- The Philippines
– Portugal- Macau, Goa
– Germany- the eastern section of New Guinea
• Debates over Colonialism and Nationalism
110
Section 5: Modernisation and Globalisation in
Asia
111
Section Structure
• (1) The concepts of modernisation and globalisation
• (2) The patterns of modernisation/ globalisation in
Asia
• (3) The dimensions of modernisation/ globalisation in
Asia
• (4) The case study approach to modernisation/
globalisation: Some examples
112
(1) The concepts of modernisation/
globalisation
 “Modernisation” and “globalisation” as
processes
 The “evidence” of modernisation/ globalisation
 Beyond “modernity”- concepts of the “post
modern” and the “post industrial”
 “Western” and “Asian” modernisations the
interface with globalisation
 The uneven nature of modernisation/
globalisation- an urban phenomenon?
113
(2) The patterns of modernisation/
globalisation in Asia
 The theory of “the western movement of
civilisations”
 Modernisation despite adversity?
 East Asian modernisation- Japan as a catalyst,
and the role of the USA
 The “Tiger Economies”
 South-east Asian modernisation- “The Mini
Dragons”
 China and India
114
(2) The patterns of modernisation/
globalisation in Asia
 Modernisation in “Communist” systems- China
and Vietnam- China’s stellar performance
 South Asia and Modernisation- India’s
remarkable growth
 The “failure” to modernise- Bangladesh,
Cambodia, the Philippines
 Defying modernisation- North Korea,
Myanmar, Afghanistan
 Regional contrasts in modernisation- across
Asia and within individual Asian countries
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(3) The dimensions of modernisation/
globalisation in Asia
•
•
•
•
Economic
Technological
Ideological/ political
Social/ cultural/ lifestyles
116
(3) The dimensions of modernisation/
globalisation in Asia
Economic modernisation
• Measuring economic modernisation- growth rates,
GDP, GNP, demographic indicators
• The “miraculous” nature of the growth statistics (p151)
• From import substitution to export orientation
• The role of government in economic modernisation?“Command capitalism”
• The role of “comparative advantage”- off shoring and
cross investment in Asia
• Economic modernisation and economic crises? – from
July 1997 to the recent “global financial crisis”
(“GFC”)
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(3) The dimensions of modernisation/
globalisation in Asia
• Technological modernisation
• The “traditional pattern” of technological
modernisation: Crafts/ toys/textiles -> Heavy industry
-> High Tech (ETMs)
• Modifications of this pattern in Asia- eg straight to
manufacture of ETMs
• “Niche products” and “niche markets” (Window shop
activity)
• “Product development” versus “product manufacture”
118
(3) The dimensions of modernisation/
globalisation in Asia
• Ideological/ political modernisation
• Modernisation as a challenge to authoritarian governments:
(“Authoritarian democracies” and Communist systems)
• The rise of the middle class -> political activism or the ideology of
consumerism?
• Consumerism as a replacement for nationalism -> consumerism
and individual and cultural identity? AND nationalism associated
with increasing prosperity- eg China
• Is there an ideology called “Asian capitalism”?
• Modernisation and the “Asian values” debate?
119
(3) The dimensions of modernisation/
globalisation in Asia
• Social/ cultural/ lifestyle/ modernisation
• “Cultural convergence theory”- does Asian
modernisation mean westernisation?
• Global influences versus Japanese influences versus
local influences?
• Lifestyle evidence of modernisation versus maintenance
of “core values”?
• The centrality of “consumerism”- fashion, brand
labels, the latest technology, etc. The “feel good factor”
and “cultural identity”
120
(4) The case study approach to modernisation/
globalisation: Some examples
Japan
South Korea
Taiwan
Malaysia
Singapore
Indonesia
China
Vietnam
India
121
China
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A long tradition of “doing business”
Mao’s ideological “madness”
Deng’s modernisation policies- “to get rich quick is glorious”, “the colour of the
cat…”, etc
The significance of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) eg Shenzhen then Shanghai
and Beijing- 2008 Olympics
Contemporary “economic miracle”- emphasis on “manufacturer to the world” and
rampant consumerism- potential enormity of domestic market
The westward movement of modernisation eg Chongqing
The “two Chinas” and rural unrest
Environmental consequences
Emergence of China as a “global investor”- issues of Chinese takeover or partial
ownership of Western companies
Chinese companies becoming major project builders in the “third world”
As the “creditor nation” to the USA’s “debtor nation status”- what does this mean
for recovery from the “global financial crisis”/ GFC?
122
Shenzhen
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Shanghai
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Beijing
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Beijing Olympics
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Shanghai Stadium
139
India
• Advantages of a well educated workforce fluent in
English- a “colonial legacy” and current education
policies
• Focus on services- especially call centres, and
technology- especially computer software
• Main epicentre of India’s “economic miracle” is
Bangalore, but Delhi and Mumbai also emerging
• Has the world’s largest middle class- 250 millionconsumerism
• “Outsourcing” and “offshoring”
• Impact on jobs in Australia and the USA
• Ongoing poverty in most of the 640,000 Indian villages“two Indias”
140
New Delhi
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Bangalore
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