Orientalism and politics in the Arab world in the modern era

Oriental studies gained doubled importance in the nineteenth century amid the frantic colonial race among the various European powers, and the high institutions, especially the geographical societies, supported the work of Orientalists. Despite the diversity of Oriental studies and the methodological changes they underwent, their main essence, both old and new, has been the character of dominance that remained steadily alongside them. It may seem that most of what has been written about Orientalism is largely a historical survey following one aspect or another of the work of some Orientalists and their various contributions. In the sixties of the twentieth century, critical studies about Orientalism began, according to the author. Ultimately, despite the blows directed at Orientalism, it remained throughout its long journey, as Edward Said described, "something more solid and resilient, not an empty European illusion about the East, but a body created from theory and practice, which has remained for many generations a subject of significant material investments."