The Concept of Orientalism: Asia-Australia Engagements and Ties

This essay provides a comprehensive exploration of the concept of Orientalism, drawing heavily on the work of Edward Said, and other sources to define and explain the concept. It delves into how Orientalism distorts perceptions of Arab cultures and peoples, and how it has been used to rationalize Western colonialism. The essay further examines the relevance of Orientalism in understanding the historical and contemporary relationships between Australia and Asia, highlighting the engagements and ties between the two regions. It discusses how Orientalism helps in understanding international relations, the identification of national interests, and the building of economic and trade relationships, and how it has shaped perceptions and interactions between Australia and Asia. The essay concludes by emphasizing the significance of Orientalism in shaping the understanding of these relationships and engagements.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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