IDSB07 FINAL EXAM

1006733947
Xiaocheng Zhou
martinl.zhou@mail.utoronto.ca

Orientalism

Definition:

Orientalism can be understood in multiple dimensions:

Historically, it pertains to the study of the cultures, languages, and histories of the East by Western

scholars. This includes studies of Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, their languages, art, archaeology,

literature, etc.

In a more critical and contemporary context, the term was popularized by Palestinian-American scholar

Edward Said in his seminal 1978 book “Orientalism”. In this context, Orientalism is a discourse

through which the West perceives, understands, and represents the East in a manner that tends to

emphasize the differences and portrays the East as exotic, backward, uncivilized, and sometimes even

dangerous. Such representations are rooted in a long history of Eurocentric and colonial perspectives

where the East becomes the “Other”.

Discussion:

Orientalism, especially as defined by Edward Said, has had a profound impact on the fields of post-

colonial studies, cultural studies, and international relations. Let's delve deeper into this perspective:

Colonial Roots:The genesis of Orientalist thought is tied with colonial ambitions. European colonizers

viewed the Orient as a space to be conquered, not just physically but intellectually and culturally. By

representing the East as mysterious and inferior, it justified the 'civilizing' missions of European

empires. For instance, colonial literature from the 19th and early 20th centuries often depicted Asian

and African societies as exotic, romantic, but also barbaric and in need of western intervention.

The Binary of East/West:Central to Orientalism is the creation of a binary – the Occident (West) is

rational, developed, civilized, and modern, while the Orient (East) is its opposite – irrational,

backward, primitive, and traditional. This binary, which ignores the vast diversity within each 'region',

was essential for the West to position itself as superior.

Institutionalization of Orientalism:Over time, the West built institutions dedicated to the study of the

East. While seemingly academic and neutral, these institutions often served political aims. They

constructed knowledge that fit neatly into the prevailing stereotypes, further reinforcing the West's

imagined superiority.

Media and Popular Culture:Even after the end of formal colonization, Orientalist imagery and themes

continued, and still continue, to permeate Western media and popular culture. Movies, novels, and art

often represent Eastern cultures through a lens of exoticism, danger, or backwardness. Think about the

depiction of the Middle East in Hollywood movies – it's often associated with terrorism, deserts,

harems, or oil sheikhs, rarely acknowledging the rich diversity and history of the region.

Critiques and Limitations:While Said’s critique of Orientalism has been groundbreaking, it's not

without its criticisms. Some argue that Said oversimplified the diverse views of Orientalists, implying a
monolithic Western perspective. Others point out that there are instances of self-orientalism where

Eastern cultures represent themselves using the same stereotypes for various reasons, including tourism

or internal politics.

Modern Implications:Orientalism is not just a relic of the past. It informs contemporary geopolitics and

the global sociolect-cultural landscape. The way Western nations approach policy decisions regarding

the Middle East, Asia, or Africa, for instance, often bears traces of orientalist thinking. The 'War on

Terror' post-9/11, with its emphasis on a 'clash of civilizations', can be seen as an offshoot of

Orientalist thought.

In conclusion, Orientalism is a powerful framework that has shaped the West's understanding and

interaction with the East for centuries. Recognizing its pervasive influence is essential for creating a

more nuanced, respectful, and realistic understanding of the diverse cultures that make up what we

broadly refer to as the 'Orient'. As globalization makes our world more interconnected, challenging and

overturning these old narratives becomes increasingly critical.

Gender and Development

Definition:

Gender and Development (GAD) is an approach and framework in developmental practices that aims

to ensure gender equity. Unlike earlier frameworks, like the Women in Development (WID) approach

which focused only on women, GAD emphasizes the relational aspect of gender and recognizes that
development does not impact men and women in the same way. It stresses the need to understand

societal structures and power dynamics that perpetuate gender inequalities, and it works towards

integrating gender concerns in all developmental activities.

Discussion:

The GAD framework emerged in the 1980s as a response to the limitations of the earlier WID

approach. While WID centered on integrating women into existing development projects, it often failed

to address the structural issues leading to gender inequalities. GAD, on the other hand, took a broader

perspective, looking at the social construction of gender roles and how they impact development

outcomes.

The Relational Aspect of Gender: GAD is not just about women. It's about understanding the

relationship between men and women, masculinities and femininities, and how these relationships are

constructed by society. This recognizes that not only do women often face disadvantages, but gender

norms can also be restrictive for men in different ways.

Power Dynamics: A significant focus of GAD is on power dynamics. It examines how societal norms,

institutional practices, and policies can perpetuate gender inequalities. By understanding these power

structures, GAD aims to challenge and change them.

Intersectionality: Modern GAD frameworks also recognize the concept of intersectionality,

understanding that gender does not operate in isolation. Other social categorizations such as race, class,

ethnicity, and age intersect with gender, leading to complex layers of discrimination or privilege. For a

more holistic approach to development, it’s essential to recognize these intersecting identities.

Practical Implications: GAD has practical implications in various sectors of development, from health

and education to employment and governance. For instance, in health, a GAD approach would examine

how gender norms might influence health-seeking behaviors or access to healthcare services. In
education, it would look into how gender stereotypes might affect educational achievements or subject

choices.

Challenges: While the GAD approach has made significant strides in integrating gender concerns into

development, challenges remain. There is sometimes a lack of understanding or resistance to the

integration of gender perspectives. Additionally, while policies may be in place, their effective

implementation can be a hurdle. Monitoring and evaluating gender outcomes also remain a challenge in

many developmental projects.

Looking Ahead: The future of gender and development lies in continuous engagement with the

evolving understanding of gender. As society’s perceptions of gender roles, identities, and relationships

change, so too must development approaches. This includes recognizing non-binary and transgender

perspectives, understanding changing family structures, and more.

In conclusion, Gender and Development represents a critical shift in understanding development.

Recognizing that gender is a pivotal determinant in how developmental outcomes are experienced,

GAD strives for a more equitable and just development process. It isn't just about improving the lot of

women but about restructuring societal norms and power dynamics to ensure equal opportunities and

outcomes for all, irrespective of their gender.

The Historical Relation Between Race and Capitalism & Its

Impact on Global Development

The relationship between race and capitalism is deeply intertwined, complex, and often contentious.

The racial dynamics of societies have frequently been shaped by capitalist systems, and conversely,

capitalism itself has been influenced by racial ideologies and practices.

Historical Relationship Between Race and Capitalism:

Colonialism and the Origins of Modern Capitalism: Modern capitalism began taking shape during the

age of exploration and colonial expansion. European powers, driven by the desire for wealth and

resources, colonized large swathes of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. These colonized territories were

radicalized, with the indigenous peoples often considered 'inferior' or 'savages'. This racial hierarchy

justified the exploitation of these lands and their peoples. Colonized peoples provided cheap labor and

raw materials that were crucial in fueling Europe's budding capitalist economies.

Slave Trade and Capital Accumulation: The transatlantic slave trade is a glaring example of the link

between race and capitalism. African slaves were commodified and became essential assets in the

production of cash crops in the Americas, such as sugar, cotton, and tobacco. The profits from these

ventures enriched European traders, bankers, and plantation owners and formed the bedrock of capital

accumulation in the Western world.

Industrial Revolution: As European powers industrialized, they drew heavily upon their colonies for

resources. These colonies were also viewed as markets for finished goods. Racialized views portrayed

colonized populations as dependent and incapable of self-governance, solidifying a system wherein the

Global North produced and the Global South consumed.

Post-Colonial Era and Neocolonialism: Even after countries gained independence, the legacy of

colonialism persisted in the form of neocolonialism. Multinational corporations from developed nations

often continued to exploit resources and labor in these 'newly independent' countries, perpetuating a

system of economic dominance.

Impact on Global Development: Extended Analysis

Economic Disparities: The racial foundations of capitalism have been pivotal in establishing global

economic hierarchies. The exploitation of colonized nations and their resources led to significant

wealth accumulation in the West. This accumulation was not just in terms of tangible assets but also in

the forms of technological advancements, institutional developments, and global influence.

On the flip side, many post-colonial countries still grapple with the remnants of this exploitation. Their

economies, often primarily reliant on a single resource or a limited set of commodities due to colonial-

era extraction patterns, find it challenging to diversify and grow. This economic mono-dependency

makes them vulnerable to global market fluctuations. Moreover, the infrastructural developments in

these nations were primarily designed to facilitate extraction for the benefit of the colonizer, rather than

holistic development of the colonized region.

As these countries gained independence, they were left with the mammoth task of restructuring

economies that had for centuries been externally oriented. The heavy debts, inherited from colonial

administrations or accumulated in the early days of independence as they tried to build their nations,

further entrenched these disparities.

Cultural Hegemony: The entanglement of race and capitalism has also spearheaded Western cultural

dominance. This isn't just about the global spread of Western products but also the projection of

Western lifestyles, ideals, and values as superior or aspirational. Media, arts, and literature have been

significant tools in this propagation.

The homogenization of global cultures under this Western-centric view often sidelines indigenous

cultures, languages, and practices. Local traditions and values are sometimes perceived as backward or

less sophisticated, causing a gradual erosion of these cultures over time. This cultural dominance

doesn't just affect the arts and traditions but also seeps into education systems, policy-making, and even

governance structures in many countries, where Western models are viewed as the gold standard.

The rise of global pop culture, dominated by Western music, movies, and fashion trends, further

entrenches this hegemony. The cultural exports from the West, backed by powerful media
corporations, have an overarching presence, making it hard for local cultures to compete or even retain

their distinct identities.

Global Labor Dynamics: Capitalist systems have a consistent quest for cheap labor, giving rise to a

racialized global labor market. Historically, this was starkly evident in practices like the slave trade and

indentured servitude, where human lives were commodified to extract maximum labor at minimal

costs.

In contemporary times, this dynamic manifests in the migration patterns from less developed countries

(predominantly inhabited by brown and black populations) to more developed ones. This labor

migration isn't just a product of economic disparities but also of active recruitment by industries in

developed nations seeking lower-wage workers.

Migrant workers often find themselves in vulnerable positions, with fewer rights and protections than

native workers. They sometimes face discriminatory practices, poor working conditions, and limited

avenues for social mobility. This modern labor dynamic is a reflection of the historical pattern where

race and economic value were intrinsically linked, perpetuating inequalities in the global workforce.

In essence, the historical relationship between race and capitalism has deep-seated implications for

global development, shaping economic structures, cultural landscapes, and labor patterns in ways that

still resonate prominently today.

In conclusion, the relationship between race and capitalism has had profound implications for global

development. The historical intertwining of these concepts has given rise to deep-seated economic

inequalities, cultural dominations, and power dynamics that continue to shape the world today. For a

more equitable future, understanding and addressing this relationship is paramount. It's not just about

correcting economic disparities but also about confronting and dismantling racial hierarchies that have

been perpetuated by capitalist systems.