Author
Akkoc, Pınar
Publication Date
2019
Publication Place
-
Istanbul University
Subject
August Bebel, The Mohammedan-Arabic cultural period, Orientalism, German socialists, Orient, Mohamedan-Arabic cultural period, Orientalism, German socialists
Type
Periodical
Language
German
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Özyeğin University
Library Asset ID
1303-9407
Record ID
f4dc35a2-c54a-4dc0-904b-b4b7afc9de77
Library Location
Modern Languages Programs
Date
2019
Sample Text
Important figures in the West, who, based on the rise of capitalism, particularly in the early modern era, were very focused on the ever-growing European city states and the cultural heritage they brought about, mostly defined the East as remaining constant in itself and the social character of Eastern cultures as despotic. In a phase in which capitalism gained even more power with the help of colonialism, the East was no longer even a rival, but came under the rule of the Western powers, so that the cross-translation of Western and Eastern values and their ideas was almost no longer possible. In such an atmosphere dominated by an approach accepted by the majority of intellectuals in the West, it is particularly relevant how the socialists of Europe and Germany, who fundamentally criticized the bourgeoisie in their own country, received the East. Orientalism certainly did not only serve to devalue the East. The special emphasis on Western values that the bourgeoisie represented also served as a means of suppressing the working class in Western countries. For this reason, leading socialists in Europe have criticized Orientalism, which as a way of thinking is a product of capitalist processes. This essay examines August Bebel's work The Mohammedan-Arab Cultural Period with the intention of showing how Bebel redefines the East and underlines the problems of Western thought with his criticism of Orientalism. In this context, the aim of this work is to point out that Bebel's early criticism of Orientalism can be groundbreaking in view of the pejorative attitude towards the Orient that is still present today. Significant intellectuals of the West, who were especially during the rise of capitalism very much focused on the ongoing growth of powerful European states and the newly emerging cultural atmosphere, concentrated on defining the East as unchanging and the societies of the Eastern world as despotic and tyrannical. During the transition period from capitalism to colonialism the Europeans were seeking more and more power, the East was certainly not a rival any more and it was legitimate to regard the East as inferior whereas the predominance of Western norms was agreed upon. During such a period, in which this idea of the surrogate Europe was accepted by the majority of Western actors, it is interesting to have a look at the European socialists and their way of perceiving the East as the orientalist perception did not only function as a way of depreciating the East but also as a way of creating an atmosphere which resulted in the Western bourgeois social norms rule over European countries. Granting a privilege to these norms was a tool to oppress the working class. Because of this reason it was important for the socialists in Germany to try to overcome orientalism. This present study deals with the Mohamedan Arabic cultural period by the German socialist August Bebel with the intention to point out how Bebel tries to give a new definition to the East and to defeat the orientalist point of view. The aim is to show that Bebel’s criticism on orientalism is still valid and can play a guiding role in connection to the everlasting derogatory attitude towards the East.
Cilt
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