Political science. Palestine and Orientalism Essay

Political science. Palestine and Orientalism - Essay ExampleIn his study Said blended political polemic and literary excursion. He writes The Orient is non only adjacent to Europe it is also the place of Europes greatest and richest and oldest colonies, the source of its civilizations and languages, its cultural contestant, and one of its deepest and most recurring images of the Other (Said, 1979, pp.1-2)Said claims that Orientalism is an academic bowl which causes interest in a variety of academic institutions, because all teachers, sooner or later begin to research Orient and apply their knowledge in the argonas of their competence. Said holds that since the end of eighteenth century the scholarly and academic meanings of Orientalism have been quite politically correct and the related efforts have been restricted. Furthermore, Said believes that Orientalism reflects Western style of domination and is close with Western mind, usually related to perceiving Orient as a younger brot her or poorer kin.Said holds that the antagonistic political relationship between the Sast and the West lies in the earliest development the struggle between Islam and Christianity. According to Said, Orientalism, which presents Christian world as higher, is used as a demonstration of European power and is seen as a comparative theory, in which two eternal rivals - the East and the West - make an argument with predicted conclusion which is to sum up that European beliefs and culture are more humanitarian and more suitable and more appropriate for harmonious development of an individual. Similarly to other -isms, Orientalism has been ill-treated from the ancient times up to the present. From the other angle of view, Orientalism is a natural movement, whose toughness is quite sufficient in its universal authenticity. This movement is a product of synergy, which takes place among different studies, accumulated by different followers, who are interested in one of the richest world cul tures, and Oriental culture. Moreover, Saids study has itself caused a number of responses, either positive or negative.Lewis attempted to criticize Saids approach -in particular, in his article The question of Orientalism, which defended Middle Eastern studies, and in particular, Palestinian studies. On the other hand, Lewis was a newcomer to the United States, and his refutation - a forceful refutal of the European and Palestinian traditions (which sometimes converts into an attack) - did not canceled Saids complaints about the problems and complications of American Middle Eastern studies. Lewis, for instance, writes that, in fact, Europe hasnt yet experienced (or probably, hasnt noticed) such considerable becharm of Orientalism on its tradition. Lewiss main notes were following1) Firstly, it would be wrong to claim that Oriental studies are limited to the study of Muslim culture, while in fact scriptural research is an essential and substantial element or Orientalism. Palestin e as the country of diverse religions supports both religious doctrines, so it needs more obscure inquiry than Said has done. 2) Secondly, there is no doubt that an identifiable part of Western studies was stimulated by either political or religious propaganda and appeared passim the ages with distorted images of Islam, the East and its cultures however, this movement cannot be termed Orientalism, rather it is False Orientalism (Lewis, 1982,