East Timor, Rene Girard and Neocolonial Violence: Scapegoating as Australian Policy

Susan Connelly's book uses the mimetic theory of René Girard to argue that Australia scapegoated the East Timorese people during the 20th century, perpetuating their sacrifice as victims and challenging traditional Australian values of egalitarianism and fairness. It examines the embryonic conversion process in levels of recognition of the innocent victim and the Australian role in East Timors suffering, offering a fresh perspective on Australian and Timorese relations and the origins and operations of human violence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

In a groundbreaking reevaluation of the historical dynamics between Australia and East Timor, Susan Connelly employs the mimetic theory of René Girard to unveil a hitherto unseen narrative. Through a meticulous exploration of East Timor's historical trajectory and an insightful application of three fundamental aspects of Girard's framework—the scapegoat, texts of persecution, and conversion—Connelly unveils Australia's profound mimetic reliance on Indonesia and other nations for security. Moreover, she compellingly argues that Australia's complicity in the Indonesian invasion and occupation of East Timor perpetuated the tragic sacrifice of the Timorese people, casting doubt on the traditional Australian values of egalitarianism and fairness. Connelly also delves into the embryonic conversion process observable in varying levels of recognition of the innocent victim and of Australia's role in East Timor's suffering, as well as the profound implications these developments have on Australian self-perception. By emphasizing Girardian notions of fear, suffering, forgiveness, and conversion, this book provides a novel and thought-provoking perspective on Australian and Timorese relations, shedding light on the origins and mechanisms of human violence.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350161474