Occidentalisms in the Arab World: Ideology and Images of the West in the Egyptian Media (Library of Modern Middle East Studies)

While the Western perception of the ""the Orient"" has become a well-worn topic in the field of Asian and Middle Eastern studies, the way in which the Arab world has come to perceive the West has been largely neglected. __Occidentalisms in the Arab World__ not only presents a comprehensive overview and pointed commentary on recent works in the emerging field of Occidentalist studies, but also provides new insight on the interplay between ideology and image in the formulation of ""the West."" Robbert Woltering provides an in-depth look at the ways in which multiple representations -- occidentalisms -- of the West have developed in Egypt since the end of the Cold War. Through the rigorous analysis of political speeches, popular literature and recurrent images, Woltering examines the ideological foundations that continue to shape the image of the Occident in the twenty-first century. __Occidentalisms in the Arab World__ provides an unparalleled and original commentary in an emerging field at the intersection of Middle East Studies, Political Science, and Media Studies. In the decades since Edward Said first christened the term'Orientalism', the discourse on the West's historical representation of the East has been inundated with new literature. While the Western perception of the'the Orient'has become a well-worn topic in the field of Asian and Middle Eastern studies, the way in which the Arab world has come to perceive the West has been largely neglected. Occidentalisms in the Arab World not only presents a comprehensive overview and pointed commentary on recent works in the emerging field of Occidentalist studies, but also provides new insight on the interplay between ideology and image in the formulation of'the West'. Robbert Woltering offers an in-depth look at the ways in which multiple representations - occidentalisms - of the West have developed in Egypt since the end of the Cold War. From the pivotal classics of Sayyid Qutb and Gamal Abdel Nasser to the contemporary works of Muhammad Imara and Galal Amin,'Occidentalisms in the Arab World'explores the political undertones in the'imagined West'in Egyptian media. Through the rigorous analysis of newspaper editorials, scholarly literature, widely-circulated books, and visual media, Woltering examines the competing influences of leftist-nationalist, liberal, and Islamist ideologies within the context of the broader struggle for political supremacy in the region. Drawing from the work of intellectuals at the respective forefronts of these movements, Woltering explores the nuanced relationship between image and ideology, which has shaped the how the West is perceived within the Arab world today.'Occidentalisms in the Arab World'provides an unparalleled and original commentary in an emerging field at the intersection of Middle East Studies, Political Science, and Media Studies. "While the Western perception of the 'the Orient' has become a well-worn topic in the field of Asian and Middle Eastern studies, the way in which the Arab world has come to perceive the West has been largely neglected. "Occidentalisms in the Arab World" not only presents a comprehensive overview and pointed commentary on recent works in the emerging field of Occidentalist studies, but also provides new insight on the interplay between ideology and image in the formulation of 'the West'. Robbert Woltering provides an in-depth look at the ways in which multiple representations - occidentalisms - of the West have developed in Egypt since the end of the Cold War. Through the rigorous analysis of political speeches, popular literature and recurrent images, Woltering examines the ideological foundations that continue to shape the image of the Occident in the twenty-first century. "Occidentalisms in the Arab World" provides an unparalleled and original commentary in an emerging field at the intersection of Middle East Studies, Political Science, and Media Studies."--Bloomsbury publishing. Contents Acknowledgments A Note on Transliteration Foreword 1. Introduction Occidentalism Theories, approaches and methodologies The West: origins, inclusions and exclusions An integrated approach 2. A History of Occidentalism in Egypt Introduction Enchante: Al-Gabarti A promise is born: Al-Tahtawi Two ugly truths meet Intellectual centrifuge The West according to Nasser Sadat Five Occidentalisms 3. Post-Cold War Occidentalism in Egypt Introduction Leftist-Nationalism Islamism The liberal trend 4. Examining Contemporary Egyptian Occidentalisms Historical parallels Between pundit and people Gender The limits of discursive determinism Differentiating the West Orientalism and Occidentalism compared 5. Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index Robbert Woltering Offers An In-depth Analysis Of The Ways In Which Multiple Representations--occidentalisms--of The West Have Developed In Egypt Since The End Of World War Ii.... Through The Thorough Assessment Of Newspaper Editorials, Scholarly Literature, Widely-circulated Books And Visual Media, Woltering Examines The Competing Influences Of Leftist-nationalist, Liberal, And Islamist Ideologies Within The Context Of The Broader Struggle For Political Supremacy In The Region.--book Flap. Robbert Woltering. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [189]-198) And Index. Presents an overview and commentary on the works in the field of occidentalist studies, providing fresh insight on the interplay between ideology and image in the formulation of 'the West'. This title looks at the ways in which multiple representations - occidentalisms - of the West have developed in Egypt since the end of the Cold War.