Asia in the Old and New Cold Wars: Ideologies, Narratives, and Lived Experiences

This book explores the impact of the Cold War on Asia, its plural histories, and peoples, and their shifting identities, ideological beliefs, and lived experiences. It provides a critical analysis of newspaper and magazine articles, films, novels, art exhibits, museums, and other commemorative sites that engage with the themes of conflict, violence, trauma, displacement, marginalization, ecology, and identity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 237 pages
Publication date: 07 February 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This collection of essays, marking the 30th anniversary of the historic Cold Wars formal conclusion in 1991, enriches Cold War studies with insights from Sociology, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, and Film and Media Studies. Through critical analysis of newspaper and magazine articles, films, novels, art exhibits, museums, and other commemorative sites that engage with the themes of conflict, violence, trauma, displacement, marginalization, ecology, and identity, the book provides rich and diverse perspectives on the complex relationship between the historic Cold War and its legacies on the one hand and, on the other, their impact on Asia, its plural histories and peoples, and their shifting identities, ideological beliefs, and lived experiences.

Today, we often speak of an 'Asian century' and witness intensifying concerns over 'new cold wars' or 'Cold War 2.0.' A United States in decline and a China on the rise create conditions for a new superpower rivalry, with a trade war already being fought between the two competitors. Russia continues to flex its geopolitical muscles, launching a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine in 2022, as its strongman leadership yearns nostalgically for the good old days of the USSR. As grand narratives and strategies of the Cold War jostle to make sense of high-level geopolitical events, this book descends to the level of lived experience, zooming in on ordinary and marginalized peoples, whose lives and livelihoods have been affected over the decades by the Cold War and its legacies.

The essays in this collection explore a range of topics, including the origins.

The Cold War's impact on Asia's political, economic, and social landscapes.

The experiences of ordinary people caught in the crossfire of the Cold War, including refugees, migrants, and victims of conflict.

The role of cultural and artistic expressions in shaping Cold War narratives and memories.

The legacy of the Cold War in shaping contemporary Asian identities and ideologies.

The book also includes a comprehensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources on the Cold War and its impact on Asia, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and students of history, politics, and international relations.

In conclusion, this collection of essays offers a timely and insightful exploration of the Cold War's enduring legacy on Asia and its peoples. By bringing together perspectives from a range of disciplines, the book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex relationship between the Cold War and its impact on the region's history, politics, and culture. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, it is essential to continue to engage with the legacies of the Cold War and to work towards a more peaceful and inclusive world.

Weight: 462g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811976803
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023