Orientalism in Economic Theory (Webinar)

Professor Jan Toporowski (SOAS)

Orientalism was originally defined by the literary critic Edward Said as an approach to the study of Africa and Asia suffused with racist stereotypes and imperial designs. Orientalism is certainly present in economic theory as it developed from the Physiocrats, through classical political economy, to the present-day understanding of economic 'backwardness' and development, and the standardisation of economic strategies around World Bank and IMF orthodoxies. There are problems with Said's understanding of particular authors like Marx and Hobson. But orientalism in economics can only be overcome by the study of economies in the social context.

This is part of a webinar series "Intensifying Inequalities and the Limitations of Global Capitalism", organised by the SOAS Department of Economics.

https://www.facebook.com/soaseconomics/videos/192854332374819/

Speakers: Professor Jan Toporowski (SOAS)

Discussants: Gilbert Achcar (SOAS) & Surbhi Kesar (Azim Premji University)

The webinar is open to all and there is no need for registration. All our webinars are recorded and will be made available on this webpage at a later date.