Regional Routes, Regional Roots? Cross-Border. Patterns of Human Mobility in Eurasia
Regional Routes, Regional Roots? Cross-Border. Patterns of Human Mobility in Eurasia
Contributor(s): So Yamane (Editor), Norihiro Naganawa (Editor)
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, International relations/trade, Geopolitics
Published by: Hokkaido Slavic-Eurasian Reserarch Center
Summary/Abstract: Why do we call Russia, China, and India regional powers? Our research group contends that it is because these countries with imperial pasts and legacies have created a variety of hubs of exchange, accommodating and sending out expansively mobile peoples. Conventionally, we take for granted and often prioritize a certain territorial unit in studying questions of nation-building, citizenship, political regime, economic growth, and international relations. But it is the mobile peoples and even individuals who have circulated the idea of nation-state around the globe and brought it back home; challenged the boundaries defining who are citizens and who are not; legitimized and discredited one or another government; generated commercial connections, and played rival states off against each other. The nine papers of this volume furnish us with useful angles to vividly illuminate the role of human mobility that has shaped the contours of the regional powers and their neighbors in the past and present.
Series: Comparative Studies of Regional Powers Series
- Page Count: 111
- Publication Year: 2017
- Language: English
The Geography, Economy and Society of Indian Diasporas
The Geography, Economy and Society of Indian Diasporas
(The Geography, Economy and Society of Indian Diasporas)
- Author(s):Stephen F. Dale
- Language:English
- Subject(s):National Economy, Historical Geography, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:1-12
- No. of Pages:12
- Summary/Abstract:China and India represent interesting and contrasting economic and cultural centers that generated merchant diasporas from among their indigenous populations, but these countries or regions also had very different histories due to fundamental political differences between these two regions. Here the focus will be on India, but with the Chinese experience constantly in the background. The most obvious factors driving the spread of Indian mercantile diasporas were: the enormous reservoir of fertile agricultural land, the early growth of major urban centers and the consequent social division of labor and the production of valuable agrarian and manufactured products to serve a large and diverse population. In addition, as with China, the regions on India’s sea and land frontiers remained less economically developed and socially differentiated throughout most of India’s recorded history. These territories include Southeast Asia, more usefully known here as Indo-China, Central Asia, including the western region known as Mawarannahr or Transoxiana and the eastern zone, including the Mongolian steppe and the region previously designated as Moghulistan or Chinese Turkistan and now as the Xinjiang region of China and finally parts of West Asia, most particularly, Afghanistan and Iran.
Chinese Banking Business in Singapore. Background and Development in the First Half of the Twentieth Century
Chinese Banking Business in Singapore. Background and Development in the First Half of the Twentieth Century
(Chinese Banking Business in Singapore. Background and Development in the First Half of the Twentieth Century)
- Author(s):Ryoichi Hisasue
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Economic history, Financial Markets
- Page Range:13-21
- No. of Pages:9
- Summary/Abstract:In the late nineteenth century, the Asian economy became subsumed within the new framework of global free trade. This phenomenon brought modern business infrastructure, such as banking, shipping, and communication, from the West. For example, British overseas banks, which were closely linked with the London-centered international financial system, provided a safety net that helped guarantee global settlement and funds supply. These banks also developed relations with commercial networks in Asia, including Chinese, Indian, Parsi, Jewish, Armenian, and Muslim networks, thus accelerating regional economic activity. In the early twentieth century, however, native capital began to enter the modern banking business. A typical example was the formation of banks by overseas Chinese. These banks did not challenge the dominance of Western banks, but became significant players in local economic activity. This phenomenon spread throughout the Asia-Pacific, and Chinese banks were soon established in such Chinese business entrepots as Singapore, San Francisco, and Hong Kong. This paper examines the Chinese banking business in Singapore as an example and elucidates its background and development during the first half of the twentieth century.
The Activity of Armenian Merchants in International Trade
The Activity of Armenian Merchants in International Trade
(The Activity of Armenian Merchants in International Trade)
- Author(s):Artsvi Bakhchinyan
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Economic history
- Page Range:23-29
- No. of Pages:7
- Keywords:Armenian trade-history;
- Summary/Abstract:In this paper I will outline the phenomenon of late medieval Armenian external trade from relevant historical, geographical and cultural perspectives, including placing it in the context of world trade and the ruling states of the time. As a specialist in the Armenian diaspora who has studied the history of Armenian immigrants and communities in Northern Europe (Scandinavia) and the Far East (Japan and China), I regularly come across information on the activities of Armenian merchants—the most dynamic segment of Armenian society. The history of the Armenian Diaspora before the twentieth century is primarily a history of traders. In the history of the world economy, the Armenian trade—especially in the late Middle Ages—is unique, and offers numerous interesting details and paradoxes. The capture of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453 seriously impacted trade between East and West. Having lost their direct connections with the markets of the Near East, European traders sought the assistance of Asian intermediaries. Thus the sixteenth century saw Armenian traders re-emerge in new geographical and political conditions that brought fresh perspectives and challenges.
The Ends of Empire. Imperial Collapse and the Trajectory of Kurdish Nationalism
The Ends of Empire. Imperial Collapse and the Trajectory of Kurdish Nationalism
(The Ends of Empire. Imperial Collapse and the Trajectory of Kurdish Nationalism)
- Author(s):Michael A. Reynolds
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Recent History (1900 till today), The Ottoman Empire
- Page Range:31-48
- No. of Pages:18
- Keywords:History of th Kurds;
- Summary/Abstract:The Kurds are a people who speak a Persianate language or cluster of dialects and who comprise the dominant population in the territories where contemporary Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran meet. The name “Kurdistan” loosely denotes these lands where the Kurds live, although because an expressly Kurdish state has ever existed, the boundaries of Kurdistan have never been defined with any precision. Scholars typically describe the Kurdish language as encompassing two major dialects, Kurmanji and Sorani, but disagreements exist about the proper classification of Kurdish dialects and sub-dialects and about the relationship of other Persianate tongues to Kurdish. Kurds today likely number somewhere around twenty-five million people and are often identified as the world’s largest ethnic group without a state. Thus their modern history is generally narrated as one of victimhood and denial of statehood. This paper represents an attempt to make the seemingly counter-intuitive argument that the collapse of imperial rule in the early twentieth century was, for the purposes of Kurdish national aspirations, premature and therefore ruinous in its consequences.
Afghanistan as a Buffer State between Regional Powers in the Late Nineteenth Century. An Analysis of Internal Politics Focusing on the Local Actors and the British Policy
Afghanistan as a Buffer State between Regional Powers in the Late Nineteenth Century. An Analysis of Internal Politics Focusing on the Local Actors and the British Policy
(Afghanistan as a Buffer State between Regional Powers in the Late Nineteenth Century. An Analysis of Internal Politics Focusing on the Local Actors and the British Policy)
- Author(s):Masato Toriya
- Language:English
- Subject(s):19th Century
- Page Range:49-62
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:History of Afghanistan; Colonialism;
- Summary/Abstract:This paper focuses on the period just after the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Afghan War, which began in 1878 and ended in 1881. According to a large number of previous studies, Afghanistan was fixed as a buffer state between Russia and British India as a result of the war and the Gandamak Treaty, which was concluded between Amīr Ya‘qūb Khān and the British on 26 May 1879, substantially as proof of the surrender of the Afghan side. In this treaty, the Amīr of Kabul, a previous ruler of Afghanistan, not only ceded various territories but also handed over diplomatic rights to the British. In short, Afghanistan was virtually a British protectorate until 1919. It is also well known that Afghanistan later became a major political battlefield between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era in the latter half of the twentieth century. This meant that Afghanistan would again be considered a buffer state between two countries.
Hometowns of the Marwaris, Diasporic Traders in India
Hometowns of the Marwaris, Diasporic Traders in India
(Hometowns of the Marwaris, Diasporic Traders in India)
- Author(s):Sumie Nakatani
- Language:English
- Subject(s):National Economy, Economic history
- Page Range:63-76
- No. of Pages:14
- Keywords:Marwaris; economy of India;
- Summary/Abstract:The Marwaris are renowned all over India for having emerged in the nineteenth century as the most prominent group of traders. Under colonial rule they played the role of intermediary traders for the British and facilitated Brit-ain’s commercial expansions. In the early twentieth century they invested in modern industries and some of them became industrial giants. It is estimated that more than half the assets in the modern industrial sector of the Indian economy are controlled by a group of trading castes originating in the northern half of Rajasthan, popularly called the Marwaris. As of 1986, the Birlas, the Singhanias, the Modis, and the Bangurs (all Marwari business houses) ac-counted for one third of the total assets of the top ten business houses in India. Several studies on the Marwaris have been made. A well-known study by Thomas Timberg focused on the strength of the Marwaris in Indian industry and explored the reason for their disproportionate success. Studying the history of Marwari migrations and the types of economic activities in which they engaged, he discussed what advantages the Marwaris had over other commercial communities in modern industrialization. He suggested that the joint fami-ly system, a credit network across the country, and willingness to speculate were important characteristics. The pos-session of these advantages emerges from their traditional caste vocation in trade. The Marwaris are habituated to credit and risk, and develop institutions and attitudes for coping with them. In the following sections, I first present ideas about who the Marwaris are, and how they became the most success-ful business group in India. Second, I look at the history of a business town in Shekhawati, focusing on the relation-ship between rulers and merchants. Third, I discuss the Marwari’s investments in their hometowns, especially man-sions constructed with the fortunes they had made abroad. Last, I consider the meaning of ‘homeland’ for diasporic Marwaris.
The Diaspora Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The Diaspora Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
(The Diaspora Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan)
- Author(s):Gulnara Mendikulova
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Economic policy, Migration Studies, Inter-Ethnic Relations
- Page Range:77-84
- No. of Pages:7
- Summary/Abstract:Understanding the politics of the Kazakh diaspora in the Republic of Kazakhstan requires knowledge of the general features of the diaspora and irredenta. The latter is an ethnic group that occupies its own lands, but as a result of conquests or annexations of territories their homeland is now under the rule of foreign governments. The global Kazakh population in 2009–2010 exceeded 14 million. Table 1 shows more than 10 million living in Kazakhstan, 1.250 million in China, 870,000 in Russia, nearly 900,000 in Uzbekistan, 145,000 in Mongolia, 15,000 in Turkey, and the remainder in more than 43 countries.
Red Souvenirs. Commodification of Chinese Propaganda Art
Red Souvenirs. Commodification of Chinese Propaganda Art
(Red Souvenirs. Commodification of Chinese Propaganda Art)
- Author(s):Yoko Takayama
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Sociology, Sociology of the arts, business, education, Tourism
- Page Range:85-98
- No. of Pages:14
- Summary/Abstract:“Red souvenirs,” including key rings, cell phone straps, and postcards, are the most recognized of all contemporary Chinese souvenirs with their vibrant images of communist leaders and martyrs. In China, the color red is a symbol of socialism and traditionally an auspicious color. The motif of Red souvenirs is mainly based on the “Red spirit,” that is, the collective memory of revolutionary history, which is particularly embodied in Propaganda art and martyr memorials embellishing public squares. During 1942 and 1976, “Red” memorials were built all over the country in an official art style called the “Mao style.” After the end of the Cultural Revolution, the Mao style faded with enormous hatred directed toward this turbulent movement. However since 1978, this hostility has gradually receded with the implementation of reform and the adaption of a more open policy, and the Mao style increasingly began to decorate souvenirs. What accounts for this successful reevaluation of the Chinese propaganda posters? How did they change their functions from means of propaganda to souvenirs? Focusing on “Red series” playing cards, this paper demonstrates the commodification process of the Chinese propaganda art accompanied by the revival of the Mao Cult and the increasing popularity of “Red tourism.”
Social Implications of Two Hindu Pilgrimages in Maharashtra
Social Implications of Two Hindu Pilgrimages in Maharashtra
(Social Implications of Two Hindu Pilgrimages in Maharashtra)
- Author(s):Chihiro Koiso
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Customs / Folklore, Sociology of Culture, Sociology of Religion, Identity of Collectives
- Page Range:99-109
- No. of Pages:11
- Summary/Abstract:There are two well-known pilgrimages in the state of Maharashtra, western India. One is the Pandharpur, held at fixed times, and the other is the Aṣtavināyaka (eight Gaṇeśa). The former is comparatively arduous and regimented, while the latter is more personal and pleasure oriented. Maharashtra has eight temples sacred to Gaṇeśa (collectively known as the astavinayaka), all located within a hundred-kilometre radius of the city of Pune. The aṣtavināyaka is a popular pilgrimage comprising a visit to all eight of these Gaṇeśa temples. Attracting many pilgrims, both pilgrimages contribute to the regional identity of Maharashtra. This paper shows that these two Hindu pilgrimages in Maharashtra are useful examples to help better understand the role of pilgrimage in modern India.