Islam and colonialism : Western perspectives on Soviet Asia
Western understandings of Central Asia have reflected the political concerns of both the time and the place in which they were carried out. The thesis reviews British, French and American writing on the area in the period 1950-1985, tracing the development of the Western understanding of the role of Islam in Soviet Asian society. It is argued that this understanding has been shown by events since 1989 to have been substantially erroneous. The direction of the development of Western scholarship is explained by placing it in a political and intellectual context dominated by experiences of anti-colonial revolt and concerns about militant Islam. Other factors having an impact on research outcomes, including the backgrounds of scholars and the means by which research findings are made public are considered. It is suggested that these factors combined to create a substantive bias in the Western understanding of the region which continues to inform approaches to the area. Awareness of the potential and often unconscious sources of bias is essential if research findings are to make a claim to represent 'the real world'.
Myer, William Daniel
Philosophy
Islam and colonialism : Western perspectives on Soviet Asia. Western understandings of Central Asia have reflected the political concerns of both the time and the place in which they were carried out. The thesis reviews British, French and American writing on the area in the period 1950-1985, tracing the development of the Western understanding of the role of Islam in Soviet Asian society. It is argued that this understanding has been shown by events since 1989 to have been substantially erroneous. The direction of the development of Western scholarship is explained by placing it in a political and intellectual context dominated by experiences of anti-colonial revolt and concerns about militant Islam. Other factors having an impact on research outcomes, including the backgrounds of scholars and the means by which research findings are made public are considered. It is suggested that these factors combined to create a substantive bias in the Western understanding of the region which continues to inform approaches to the area. Awareness of the potential and often unconscious sources of bias is essential if research findings are to make a claim to represent 'the real world'.
islam colonialism western perspective soviet asia western understanding central_asia reflect political concern time_place carry_out review british french american write area period trace_development western role islam soviet asian society argue show event since substantially erroneous direction development western scholarship explain place political_intellectual context dominate experience anti_colonial revolt concern militant islam factor_impact outcome include background scholar mean finding make public consider suggest factor combine create substantive bias western region continue inform approach area awareness potential often unconscious source bias essential finding make claim represent the real_world