Centre for European Studies (CES) at Chulalongkorn University and The Research Institute on Contemporary Southeast Asia (IRASEC) organize a public lecture and panel discussion on the topic "Did Europe Really Colonize Southeast Asia?" by Dr. Jean-Louis Margolin, Senior lecturer, Aix-Marseille University and research fellow at the Institute of Asian Studies (Marseilles), on Thursday September 18th, 2014, from 13.00 to 16.00 hrs. at Room 105, Mahachulalongkorn Building, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.
"The five centuries relationship between Europe and Southeast Asia have often been narrated as the story of a slow takeover, and of a short apex, followed by a quick demise. Actually, things have not been so linear and homogeneous. Until at least the end of 18th century, the ability of Asian societies to master their own destiny did remain more or less intact. The only way to success for the Europeans passed through entering Asian networks. And they fought more rabidly against each other than against Asian states. Furthermore, Western societies were then more deeply transformed by Asia than the reverse.
The balance of power did evolve a great deal during the century of large-scale colonization (1850-1950). Nevertheless, even then, European influence remained limited, and the policies adopted were often contradictory and deprived of the necessary resources. Behind the appearance of European strength, several indigenous groups improved their status, and many of their members infiltrated the colonial institutions. Colonial order has been actually a co-production between Europeans and (some) Asians, that decolonization hardly altered in the core. Who has been using whom, therefore?
The emancipation of Asian nations, facilitated as well as molded by Japanese occupation, has led to a radical parting of the ways with the former imperial master, that demonstrates less the weakening of Europe than the constant dynamic of Asian societies, left unaltered by centuries of colonization."
The event will be conducted in English. The participation is free of charge.
