Sociology of World Heritage: An Asian Perspective

Ogino examines the motivations behind the preservation of cultural significance,critiquing the European logic of cultural heritage enshrined by UNESCO and analyzing the positive and negative impacts of UNESCO-listed status. It raises fundamental questions about who decides what counts as cultural heritage and the rationale for preserving it.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Ogino delves into the compelling motivations behind the preservation of objects and sites deemed of cultural significance, drawing primarily from case studies in Japan and other Asian regions. By examining the perspectives of Japanese approaches to cultural heritage, the book critically assesses the European-driven logic of cultural heritage enshrined by UNESCO. It juxtaposes a Western focus on monumental landmarks and sites with an Asian emphasis on intangible forms of heritage, which tend to place less emphasis on a linear view of time. Furthermore, the authors conduct a practical analysis of the positive and negative impacts that UNESCO-listed status has had on sites in Asia, such as Angkor Wat, Nagasaki, and Lijiang. Ultimately, they address fundamental questions about who has the authority.

This books offers a thoughtful and provocative exploration of topics that will captivate sociologists, scholars, and students of cultural heritage alike.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032138152