/

History As Propaganda Tibetan Exiles versus the People's Republic of China

Powers, John
Innbundet / 2004 / Engelsk

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780195174267
Publisert
2004
Utgiver
Oxford University Press Inc
Vekt
445 gr
Høyde
239 mm
Bredde
163 mm
Dybde
21 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
224

Forfatter
Powers, John

Biografisk notat

John Powers is a Reader at the Centre for Asian Studies and Histories at the Australian National University in Canberra. He is the author of numerous books, including A Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism (2000) and Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (1995).

History As Propaganda Tibetan Exiles versus the People's Republic of China

Powers, John
Innbundet / 2004 / Engelsk
Powers, John
Innbundet / 2004 / Engelsk
1.071,-
Laveste pris siste 30 dager: 1.071,-
Levering 10-30 dager
Klikk og hent

History as Propaganda is a fascinating study of how historical sources and events are selectively and subjectively interpreted by Chinese propagandists, Tibetan exiles, and Western scholars for the purpose of furthering diametrically opposed political claims. Powers presents well-reasoned arguments that challenge many facile assumptions about Tibets complex relationships with successive Chinese administrations. The authors critical yet balanced approach is destined to ruffle feathers on both sides of the political chasm. This is a must read for anybody who is interested in Tibets political status, and is a welcome contribution to the literature concerning nationalism, ethnicity, and historical argumentation.

Geoff Childs, author of Tibetan Diary: From Birth to Death and Beyond in a Himalayan Valley of Nepal

Despite Chinese efforts to stop foreign countries from granting him visas, the Dalai Lama has become one of the most recognizable and best loved people on the planet, drawing enormous crowds wherever he goes. By contrast, China's charismatically-challenged leaders attract crowds of protestors waving Tibetan flags and shouting "Free Tibet!" whenever they visit foreign countries. By now most Westerners probably think they understand the political situation in Tibet. But, John Powers argues, most Western scholars of Tibet evince a bias in favor of one side or the other in this continuing struggle. Some of the most emotionally charged rhetoric, says Powers, is found in studies of Tibetan history. History is viewed by both sides as crucial to their claims, and both invest a great deal of energy in producing works that purport to tell the "truth" about Tibet's past. Powers shows that the two sides' views are mutually incompatible and that both sides sincerely believe what they say. Both are operating within a particular psychological context in which certain assumptions guide their inquiry and predetermine their conclusions. Both are so thoroughly convinced of the utter rightness of their paradigms that they cannot even imagine that someone might sincerely hold the opposing view, and so they accuse their opponents of deliberately lying and covering up the "facts" and the "truth." Both reflect the vastly different cultural myths of the societies that produced them. Chinese sources begin with the notion that China is at the center of the world and is the only civilized society, with a mandate to rule over all other countries. Tibetan records are thoroughly infused with Buddhist imagery and presuppositions, and the underlying narrative is the diffusion and glorification of religion. Powers examines works on Tibetan history by Tibetan and Chinese authors that have been produced in English for Western consumption. He finds some of their claims absurd, others highly implausible, some humorous in an unintended way. Both narratives are fraught with internal contradictions and inconsistencies. And even the most ridiculous notions, Powers notes, are often reflected in works by contemporary Western academics. Powers's impartial examination of the competing narratives will help us to better understand the issues involved in debates about Tibetan history-why apparently arcane vestiges of the past are so important to both Tibetan and Chinese nationalist narratives.
Les mer
Examines works on Tibetan history by Tibetan and Chinese authors that have been produced in English for Western consumption. This work finds some of their claims absurd, others highly implausible, and some humorous in an unintended way. This examination of the narratives helps us understand the issues involved in debates about Tibetan history.
Les mer
"History as Propaganda is a fascinating study of how historical sources and events are selectively and subjectively interpreted by Chinese propagandists, Tibetan exiles, and Western scholars for the purpose of furthering diametrically opposed political claims. Powers presents well-reasoned arguments that challenge many facile assumptions about Tibets complex relationships with successive Chinese administrations. The authors critical yet balanced approach is destined to ruffle feathers on both sides of the political chasm. This is a must read for anybody who is interested in Tibets political status, and is a welcome contribution to the literature concerning nationalism, ethnicity, and historical argumentation." --Geoff Childs, author of Tibetan Diary: From Birth to Death and Beyond in a Himalayan Valley of Nepal "This is a useful, clear-headed, and profoundly discouraging account of two deeply held but completely incommensurate versions of the Tibetan past and present.... Powers provides a balanced guide through the literature with this entirely reliable account of versions of history credible only to true believers on each side."--CHOICE "History as Propaganda provides a scholarly and dispassionate examination of ways in which Chinese and Tibetans project their claims and counter-claims in the international arena. The book should appeal to all those interested in Tibetan affairs." --Tsering Shakya, author of The Dragon in the Land of Snows "This is a useful, clear-headed, and profoundly discouraging account of two deeply held but completely incommensurate versions of the Tibetan past and present.... Powers provides a balanced guide through the literature with this entirely reliable account of versions of history credible only to true believers on each side."--CHOICE "History as Propaganda is a fascinating study of how historical sources and events are selectively and subjectively interpreted by Chinese propagandists, Tibetan exiles, and Western scholars for the purpose of furthering diametrically opposed political claims. Powers presents well-reasoned arguments that challenge many facile assumptions about Tibets complex relationships with successive Chinese administrations. The authors critical yet balanced approach is destined to ruffle feathers on both sides of the political chasm. This is a must read for anybody who is interested in Tibets political status, and is a welcome contribution to the literature concerning nationalism, ethnicity, and historical argumentation." --Geoff Childs, author of Tibetan Diary: From Birth to Death and Beyond in a Himalayan Valley of Nepal "History as Propaganda provides a scholarly and dispassionate examination of ways in which Chinese and Tibetans project their claims and counter-claims in the international arena. The book should appeal to all those interested in Tibetan affairs." --Tsering Shakya, author of The Dragon in the Land of Snows
Les mer
John Powers is a Reader at the Centre for Asian Studies and Histories at the Australian National University in Canberra. He is the author of numerous books, including A Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism (2000) and Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (1995).
Les mer

Relaterte produkter

History as Propaganda is a fascinating study of how historical sources and events are selectively and subjectively interpreted by Chinese propagandists, Tibetan exiles, and Western scholars for the purpose of furthering diametrically opposed political claims. Powers presents well-reasoned arguments that challenge many facile assumptions about Tibets complex relationships with successive Chinese administrations. The authors critical yet balanced approach is destined to ruffle feathers on both sides of the political chasm. This is a must read for anybody who is interested in Tibets political status, and is a welcome contribution to the literature concerning nationalism, ethnicity, and historical argumentation.

Geoff Childs, author of Tibetan Diary: From Birth to Death and Beyond in a Himalayan Valley of Nepal

Despite Chinese efforts to stop foreign countries from granting him visas, the Dalai Lama has become one of the most recognizable and best loved people on the planet, drawing enormous crowds wherever he goes. By contrast, China's charismatically-challenged leaders attract crowds of protestors waving Tibetan flags and shouting "Free Tibet!" whenever they visit foreign countries. By now most Westerners probably think they understand the political situation in Tibet. But, John Powers argues, most Western scholars of Tibet evince a bias in favor of one side or the other in this continuing struggle. Some of the most emotionally charged rhetoric, says Powers, is found in studies of Tibetan history. History is viewed by both sides as crucial to their claims, and both invest a great deal of energy in producing works that purport to tell the "truth" about Tibet's past. Powers shows that the two sides' views are mutually incompatible and that both sides sincerely believe what they say. Both are operating within a particular psychological context in which certain assumptions guide their inquiry and predetermine their conclusions. Both are so thoroughly convinced of the utter rightness of their paradigms that they cannot even imagine that someone might sincerely hold the opposing view, and so they accuse their opponents of deliberately lying and covering up the "facts" and the "truth." Both reflect the vastly different cultural myths of the societies that produced them. Chinese sources begin with the notion that China is at the center of the world and is the only civilized society, with a mandate to rule over all other countries. Tibetan records are thoroughly infused with Buddhist imagery and presuppositions, and the underlying narrative is the diffusion and glorification of religion. Powers examines works on Tibetan history by Tibetan and Chinese authors that have been produced in English for Western consumption. He finds some of their claims absurd, others highly implausible, some humorous in an unintended way. Both narratives are fraught with internal contradictions and inconsistencies. And even the most ridiculous notions, Powers notes, are often reflected in works by contemporary Western academics. Powers's impartial examination of the competing narratives will help us to better understand the issues involved in debates about Tibetan history-why apparently arcane vestiges of the past are so important to both Tibetan and Chinese nationalist narratives.
Les mer
Examines works on Tibetan history by Tibetan and Chinese authors that have been produced in English for Western consumption. This work finds some of their claims absurd, others highly implausible, and some humorous in an unintended way. This examination of the narratives helps us understand the issues involved in debates about Tibetan history.
Les mer
"History as Propaganda is a fascinating study of how historical sources and events are selectively and subjectively interpreted by Chinese propagandists, Tibetan exiles, and Western scholars for the purpose of furthering diametrically opposed political claims. Powers presents well-reasoned arguments that challenge many facile assumptions about Tibets complex relationships with successive Chinese administrations. The authors critical yet balanced approach is destined to ruffle feathers on both sides of the political chasm. This is a must read for anybody who is interested in Tibets political status, and is a welcome contribution to the literature concerning nationalism, ethnicity, and historical argumentation." --Geoff Childs, author of Tibetan Diary: From Birth to Death and Beyond in a Himalayan Valley of Nepal "This is a useful, clear-headed, and profoundly discouraging account of two deeply held but completely incommensurate versions of the Tibetan past and present.... Powers provides a balanced guide through the literature with this entirely reliable account of versions of history credible only to true believers on each side."--CHOICE "History as Propaganda provides a scholarly and dispassionate examination of ways in which Chinese and Tibetans project their claims and counter-claims in the international arena. The book should appeal to all those interested in Tibetan affairs." --Tsering Shakya, author of The Dragon in the Land of Snows "This is a useful, clear-headed, and profoundly discouraging account of two deeply held but completely incommensurate versions of the Tibetan past and present.... Powers provides a balanced guide through the literature with this entirely reliable account of versions of history credible only to true believers on each side."--CHOICE "History as Propaganda is a fascinating study of how historical sources and events are selectively and subjectively interpreted by Chinese propagandists, Tibetan exiles, and Western scholars for the purpose of furthering diametrically opposed political claims. Powers presents well-reasoned arguments that challenge many facile assumptions about Tibets complex relationships with successive Chinese administrations. The authors critical yet balanced approach is destined to ruffle feathers on both sides of the political chasm. This is a must read for anybody who is interested in Tibets political status, and is a welcome contribution to the literature concerning nationalism, ethnicity, and historical argumentation." --Geoff Childs, author of Tibetan Diary: From Birth to Death and Beyond in a Himalayan Valley of Nepal "History as Propaganda provides a scholarly and dispassionate examination of ways in which Chinese and Tibetans project their claims and counter-claims in the international arena. The book should appeal to all those interested in Tibetan affairs." --Tsering Shakya, author of The Dragon in the Land of Snows
Les mer
John Powers is a Reader at the Centre for Asian Studies and Histories at the Australian National University in Canberra. He is the author of numerous books, including A Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism (2000) and Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (1995).
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780195174267
Publisert
2004
Utgiver
Oxford University Press Inc
Vekt
445 gr
Høyde
239 mm
Bredde
163 mm
Dybde
21 mm
Aldersnivå
P, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
224

Forfatter
Powers, John

Biografisk notat

John Powers is a Reader at the Centre for Asian Studies and Histories at the Australian National University in Canberra. He is the author of numerous books, including A Concise Encyclopedia of Buddhism (2000) and Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism (1995).

Relaterte produkter