Podcast

Does the orientalist mindset still exist?

Islamic studies scholar Joas Wagemakers talks about the lasting influence of Edward Said's ground-breaking book 'Orientalism'.

  • 20 juli 2020
  • 55 minuten

It's been four decades since the publication of Orientalism, Edward Said's highly influential and controversial study of colonialism. In his book he reveals the history of how politicians, scientists, writers and artists in the West produced a particular way of thinking about Eastern societies. They presented them as primitive, inferior to the West, and in desperate need of control. Islamic studies scholar Joas Wagemakers talks about the book's lasting influence. Does the orientalist mindset still exist?