Amitav Acharya, "Asia is Not One"

The November 2010 issue of Journal of Asian Studies "opens with a wide-ranging exchange that explores competing visions of the interconnections among Asian countries and the meaning of “Asia” as a region."

Amitav Acharya, "Asia is Not One," Journal of Asian Studies, Vol. 69, No. 4 (November) 2010: 1001–1013.


ASIA IS NOT “one,” and there is no singular idea of Asia. Asia is of multiple (although not always mutually exclusive) conceptions, some drawing on material forces, such as economic growth, interdependence, and physical power, and others having ideational foundations, such as civilizational linkages and normative aspirations. Some of these varied conceptions of Asia have shaped in meaningful ways the destinies of its states and peoples. Moreover, they have underpinned different forms of regionalism, which, in turn, has ensured that Asia, despite its fuzziness and incoherence, has remained a durable, if essentially contested, notion.....

Other contributions to the debate are:

Asia Redux: Conceptualizing a Region for Our Times false
Prasenjit Duara

The Idea of Asia and Its Ambiguities false
Wang Hui

The Intricacies of Premodern Asian Connections false
Tansen Sen

Response to Prasenjit Duara, “Asia Redux” false
Barbara Watson Andaya

No gears shifting. false
Rudolf Mrázek

Response to Comments on “Asia Redux” false
Prasenjit Duara