Westernization and Colonialism
The book details how western civilization imposed its culture on everything and everyone. They regarded themselves as a superior race and their way of life better than any other. The author argued that the idea of the Orient as depicted by the west is not the actual Orient. The West developed and constructed an idea of the Orient that was beneficial to their agenda. These constructed depictions still exist and affect today’s political and social relations with Asia. The West, through such manipulative schemes, have risen to global domination in the 20th and 21st century. The current political instabilities in the Orient have only pushed further the fabricated notions of Orientalism.
Cultural Identity and Power
Despite the so-designated Orient’s deep and rich culture, the notions imposed by the West still define the East today. Their cultural identity has become fused with the fabricated notions which have rather worked in the West’s favor. The author argues that the real reason Orientalism worked came from the perceived knowledge. This fabricated knowledge worked effectively in the consolidation of power. The notion was that the East were a less advanced people and that the West had a primary responsibility to provide progress and innovation. The West made sure to imprint this idea which persists to date.
