Disorienting Politics explores the economic, cultural, political, and ecological entanglements of China and the United States through 21st-century media artifacts, highlighting the concept of "Chimerica" and its impact on power relations and racialized Othering. It calls for a relational politics that acknowledges the multifarious interconnectivity between people, places, media, and environment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2024
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Disorienting Politics mines 21st-century media artifacts, including films like "The Martian" and TV/streaming media shows such as "Firefly" and "House of Cards," to reveal the economic, cultural, political, and ecological entanglements between China and the United States. Yang examines how Chimerican media, originating in the US but transcending national boundaries in their production, circulation, and consumption, co-create the figure of rising China and expand a political imagination beyond the conventional ground of the nation. The book argues that the pervasive tendency among wide-ranging cultural producers to depict the Chinese state as a racialized Other in American media life diminishes the possibility of engaging transpacific entanglements as a basis for envisioning new political horizons. This othering of China not only results in overt racism against people of Asian descent but also impacts the wellbeing of people of color more generally. Disorienting Politics demonstrates the ways in which race is embedded in geopolitics even when the subject of discussion is not the people, but the (Chinese) state. It calls for a relational politics that acknowledges the multifarious interconnectivity between people, places, media, and environment.

Disorienting Politics: Mining 21st-Century Media Artifacts to Reveal the Economic, Cultural, Political, and Ecological Entanglements of China and the United States

Disorienting Politics is a groundbreaking interdisciplinary book that explores the complex and multifaceted relationships between China and the United States in the 21st century. Drawing on a wide range of media artifacts, including films, TV shows, and streaming media, the book examines how these transpacific entanglements are shaped by and perpetuate uneven power relations. The author, Yang, argues that the pervasive tendency among cultural producers to depict the Chinese state as a racialized Other in American media life diminishes the possibility of engaging transpacific entanglements as a basis for envisioning new political horizons. This othering of China not only results in overt racism against people of Asian descent but also impacts the wellbeing of people of color more generally. Disorienting Politics demonstrates the ways in which race is embedded in geopolitics even when the subject of discussion is not the people, but the (Chinese) state. It calls for a relational politics that acknowledges the multifarious interconnectivity between people, places, media, and environment.

Chimerica: The Co-Creation of Rising China and the Expansion of a Political Imagination

Yang's central argument is that Chimerican media, originating in the US but traversing national boundaries in their production, circulation, and consumption, co-create the figure of rising China and extend a political imagination beyond the conventional ground of the nation. Chimerican media is characterized by its ability to transcend national borders and engage with global audiences, and Yang argues that this co-creation of rising China is a key factor in shaping the political landscape of the 21st century. The book explores how Chimerican media has been used to promote economic growth, cultural exchange, and political stability in China, as well as to challenge the dominant narrative of US hegemony in the region. Yang also examines how Chimerican media has been used to promote a sense of Chinese identity and nationalism, and how this has impacted the relationship between China and the United States.

The Othering of China in American Media Life

One of the key themes of Disorienting Politics is the othering of China in American media life. Yang argues that the pervasive tendency among cultural producers to depict the Chinese state as a racialized Other in American media life diminishes the possibility of engaging transpacific entanglements as a basis for envisioning new political horizons. This othering of China not only results in overt racism against people of Asian descent but also impacts the wellbeing of people of color more generally. Yang provides numerous examples of how this othering of China has been perpetuated in American media, including the portrayal of Chinese immigrants as criminals, the use of stereotypes in television shows, and the exclusion of Chinese voices from mainstream media outlets. Yang argues that this othering of China is not only harmful to individuals but also to the broader society, as it perpetuates a sense of division and inequality.

The Impact of Othering China on the Wellbeing of People of Color

Yang also argues that the othering of China has a significant impact on the wellbeing of people of color more generally. Yang provides numerous examples of how this othering of China has been perpetuated in American media, including the portrayal of Chinese immigrants as criminals, the use of stereotypes in television shows, and the exclusion of Chinese voices from mainstream media outlets. Yang argues that this othering of China is not only harmful to individuals but also to the broader society, as it perpetuates a sense of division and inequality. Yang suggests that a relational politics that acknowledges the multifarious interconnectivity between people, places, media, and environment is necessary to address these issues.

Relational Politics and the Need for a New Global Order

Disorienting Politics calls for a relational politics that acknowledges the multifarious interconnectivity between people, places, media, and environment. Yang argues that this relational politics is necessary to address the complex and multifaceted relationships between China and the United States in the 21st century. The book suggests that a new global order is needed that is based on cooperation, mutual respect, and shared responsibility. Yang provides numerous examples of how this new global order can be achieved, including through the promotion of cultural exchange, the reduction of economic inequality, and the protection of the environment. Yang also suggests that a new global order can be achieved through the use of technology and innovation, which can help to connect people and communities across the globe.

Conclusion

Disorienting Politics is a groundbreaking interdisciplinary book that explores the complex and multifaceted relationships between China and the United States in the 21st century. Drawing on a wide range of media artifacts, including films, TV shows, and streaming media, the book examines how these transpacific entanglements are shaped by and perpetuate uneven power relations. The author, Yang, argues that the pervasive tendency among cultural producers to depict the Chinese state as a racialized Other in American media life diminishes the possibility of engaging transpacific entanglements as a basis for envisioning new political horizons. This othering of China not only results in overt racism against people of Asian descent but also impacts the wellbeing of people of color more generally. Disorienting Politics demonstrates the ways in which race is embedded in geopolitics even when the subject of discussion is not the people, but the (Chinese) state. It calls for a relational politics that acknowledges the multifarious interconnectivity between people, places, media, and environment. By addressing these issues, we can create a more just and equitable world for all.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472076796