Australians studying Asia:
the ASAA 1976-1997

http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/King/King01.html

Rebecca King

Chapter Five: Regional Balance

The interests of ASAA members in different regions of Asia have had profound consequences on the activities of the Association. They have also affected the perceived value of the Association to members not represented by the prime interests of key players in the Association. Two groups have felt particularly disenfranchised: the South Asianists who already had an association at the time the ASAA was formed, and the West Asianists whose region has been regarded by government as outside the context of Asian Studies. On the other hand recognition of the need to establish a balanced and broad view has been demonstrated successfully where the Association has lobbied to alter the national government's narrow view of 'Asia'.

ASAA membership has always been dominated by academics who study Southeast Asia[1]. Of the 217 paid up Australian members listed in the March 1976 Newsletter over one hundred specialised in that region[2]. In its 1979 submission to the Senate Inquiry into Australia-ASEAN Relations the Association represented itself as including nearly all the Australian scholars working on Southeast Asia and noted that this was nearly half the total membership[3]. Giving evidence before the inquiry a year later, Secretary John Ingleson said the ASAA was a predominantly academic organisation of which approximately two thirds were Southeast Asia specialists[4]. The concentration on this region stood in marked contrast to the situation in the Association for Asian Studies, the American counterpart of the ASAA[5].

An early indication of the importance of Southeast Asia to the ASAA was the establishment of the Southeast Asian Publications Series (SEAPS) as the first monograph series. The SEAPS series may have developed not out of a conscious privileging of Southeast Asian studies but rather out of the enthusiasm of the publications officer Anthony Reid[6]. At the time Southeast Asia was agreed to be the area most in need of a series, and the series was portrayed as a pilot scheme for other areas[7]. In comparison to the well established publishers of books on China, Japan and India, those for Southeast Asia were perceived as small, fragmented and undeveloped, and this justified SEAPS being the initial and paramount series[8]. At the 1980 August Council Meeting some members questioned the concentration on Southeast Asia and in response President Wang Gungwu stated that SEAPS was the correct strategy for the moment but works on all areas of Asia would need to be published[9].

The first offshore ASAA-sponsored conference was held in 1989 in Singapore and can be, and was, interpreted as an indication of a Southeast Asian dominance[10]. An earlier proposal had been made for a conference in Singapore in 1982[11] but this did not eventuate. The 1989 conference was held in conjunction with the Centre of Advanced Studies of the National University of Singapore and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, and many of the panels naturally represented Singaporean interests[12].

The relative abundance of Southeast Asianists in Australia may simply be a result of geographic proximity, and this may have been influential in arguing for conferences to be held in Southeast Asia. The merits of holding the 1988 Biennial Conference in Singapore were framed in terms of the value gained from the increased interaction between Australian and Asian scholars[13], but it was also argued that the conference need be no more expensive, if not cheaper for some members, than the usual interstate conference[14].

The predominance of Indonesianists within the Southeast Asianists has been noted several times. It was acknowledged during the 1980 Senate Australia-ASEAN Relations Inquiry (the next sizeable group being Malaysia specialists)[15]. In his opening to the 1982 Conference John Menadue, Secretary Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, noted that though other Asian countries were politically and economically closer to Australia, Indonesianists formed the strongest group of Asian scholars in Australia[16]. It was again recognised in Ben Kerkvliet's report on the 1984 Conference[17] and in the Southeast Asia area notes in the Review in 1991 Dr Susan Blackburn observed: 'as usual most of the action centres around Indonesia'[18].

The dominance in the Association of Southeast Asianists has not gone unnoticed and attempts have been made to avoid any bias though not entirely successfully[19]. For instance attempts were made by the organiser of the panels on Asian art at the 1988 Conference to avoid an overwhelming concentration on Southeast Asian art but with little success[20]. The Council is elected for each region, China and Inner Asia, Japan and Northeast Asia, South Asia, West and Central Asia, and Southeast Asia which circumvents the problem. A policy of cooption ensures representation of all Australian states also[21]. At the 1984 Conference Council Meeting Peter Reeves was endorsed as Presidential candidate as part of an informal concession to the South Asianists who would find it difficult to get elected due to the large majority of Southeast Asianists[22].

The major contentious constitutional question facing the ASAA at its formation in 1975 was incorporation of the South Asian Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand (SASAANZ) into an Australian organisation for Asian Studies. SASAANZ was already a vigorous and well organised group, formed in 1969 and publishing its own journal, South Asia, since 1971. There was a degree of tension and anxiety on the part of the South Asianists who did not wish to lose identity and autonomy in a larger association. SASAANZ hoped to take on sole responsibility for any ASAA concerns with South Asia; for instance organising South Asia panels at conferences. Negotiations prior to the May 1976 Conference allowed SASAANZ to retain a separate identity for five years as the South Asian wing but within five years it was an integral part of the ASAA[23]. A provision in the constitution allowed the Councillor for South Asia during the initial period to be appointed directly by SASAANZ. SASAANZ has remained a separate, but affiliated, association and publishing an independent journal though holding its biennial conferences in conjunction with the ASAA[24].

The development of the philosophy in the 1980s that linked educational policy to perceived national economic interests led to South Asianists feeling marginalised within the ASAA. At that time Southeast and also Northeast Asianists were seen to be benefiting from government policies focussed on their regions. Such policies led to a series of reports that linked the perceived economic and political value of particular Asian regions to Australia, and proposed priorities for educational funding and support. Despite the belief of many South Asianists that the priorities should be applied equally to South Asia, the general view of India as an economic failure prevailed[25]. In an era when emphasis was being placed predominantly on trade figures and other economic values, arguments concerning the importance of studying India as the heartland of many Asian civilisations were unconvincing[26].

ASAA members of the Asian Studies Council (ASC) Working Party pushed for the inclusion of South Asia in the Council's terms of reference. India was not viewed by the bureaucracy as part of Asia[27], but in the ASC national strategy South Asia was recognised as worthy of attention only after the higher priorities of Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia. Hindi was placed in the second tier of languages to be promoted in line with the ASC interpretation of industry needs and national importance: Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian were in the first rank[28].

The Ingleson Report on teaching Asian studies and languages in higher education[29] again regarded South Asian studies as not of prime national interest. Its steering committee had no members with interests outside Southeast or East Asia and its terms of reference came from the National Language Policy in which no South Asian language was a priority. Not surprisingly the report recommended continued support in universities for areas already perceived to be privileged: Japanese, Chinese and Indonesian studies[30]. The Garnaut Report, Australia and the Northeast Asian ascendancy made explicit the lack of a role for South Asia studies in educational policy driven by national relevance (particularly employer demand)[31].

Only since the representation of the ASAA at the Senate Australia-India Relations Inquiry and the government response to the recommendations have some South Asianists felt that the ASAA has given them due recognition and appropriately lobbied on their behalf[32]. Elaine McKay, as President, appeared before the inquiry and drew attention to the blind spot within government circles in excluding South Asia in their definition of 'Asia'[33]. The July 1990 Report Australia-India Relations: Trade and Security endorsed the recommendation of the Senate Committee to establish an Australia-India Council to parallel the Councils for Indonesia, China, Japan and Korea. Additionally the need for an Indian Studies Centre was recognised[34]. The inquiry and Report were viewed to some extent by South Asianists as a parliamentary endorsement of their region of study and this created a sense of optimism[35]. At a 1995 ASAA Council Meeting the possibility was raised that an off-shore conference could be held in India in 1997 and although it did not eventuate the proposal can be interpreted as ASAA recognition of the importance of South Asia to Asian studies in Australia[36].

The comparatively low numbers of West and Central Asianists[37] represented in the ASAA have resulted in their having little influence within the Association. Representation on Council for the region of West Asia has not been continuous. West Asia had been recognised early in the planning stages of the ASAA structure and while the western extremity of Asia has never formally been a contentious issue in the ASAA[38], it is always an issue in any Asian studies forum[39]. A Councillor is listed for West Asia in the first Review of July 1977 and until November 1978. No such representative appears again until 1988 and although the position had been listed in the Review lists of Councillors, it was vacant for the 1991-1992 term and the 1994-1996 position was not filled until July 1995[40].

The attitude of the ASAA to its West Asian studies constituents can be characterised as broadly supportive but little specific lobbying has been undertaken on their behalf[41]. Some lobbying to develop Middle Eastern resources in Australia was undertaken by the Working Group on Information Resources[42]. In 1990 the neglect of the Asian Studies Council to deal with West Asia was raised by the ASAA Executive with the ASC Executive but with no apparent effect[43]. The 'ASAA Policy: Issues and Options Report' in 1994 had input from the Association's Policy Committee, a special general discussion meeting, and specific comments from the Council, but made no mention of West Asia. This was noted with regret by the Council[44]. The Executive Meeting of March 1995 noted the small numbers of West Asianists that the Association represented but nonetheless called for the links to be developed and supported[45]. Lack of successful lobbying on behalf of West Asianists by the ASAA can be attributed to the very low numbers represented and the overall low level of contribution by the West Asianists to the Association[46]. As with South Asia the Federal government has excluded West Asia from its economy-focussed definition of Asia.

Footnotes

[1] The membership figures for geographic area of interest reported at the February 1997 Council Meeting were: Southeast Asia: 53.3%, China/ Inner Asia: 22.6%, Japan/ North Asia: 13.9%, South Asia 9.3% and West/ Central Asia: 0.7%. Council Minutes, 15 February 1997. (http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/Minutes/minutes-97-02.html) (19/8/1997).

[2] 'List of ASAA Members', Asian Studies Association of Australia Newsletter, vol1, no3, March 1976, pp9-18.

[3] Letter from John Ingleson to T Magi, 24 July 1979, with attached submission to the 1980 Senate Inquiry into Australia-ASEAN Relations. In folder labelled 'ASAA 1978/79', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6.

[4] Evidence given by John Ingleson as ASAA Secretary. Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, (Reference: Australia and ASEAN) Official Hansard transcript of evidence, vol2, Canberra, 1980, 6 May, 1980, pp1446-1535, p1484.

[5] Letter from John Ingleson to T Magi, 24 July 1979, with attached submission to the 1980 Senate Inquiry into Australia-ASEAN Relations. In folder labelled 'ASAA 1978/79', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6. Liddle, RW, 'An American's View', ASAA Review, vol4, no2, November 1980, pp16-17, p17. Kerkvliet, B, 'An American's View', ASAA Review, vol8, no1, July, 1984, pp11-12, p11.

[6] Conversation with Anthony Reid, Canberra, 10th February 1997.

[7] 'ASAA Council Meeting from ST Leong, Secretary', ASAA Review, vol1, no1, July 1977, pp5-8, p7.

[8] Letter from John Ingleson to T Magi, 24 July 1979, with attached submission to the 1980 Senate Inquiry into Australia-ASEAN Relations. In folder labelled 'ASAA 1978/79', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6.

[9] 'ASAA News', ASAA Review, vol4, no2, November 1980, pp28-30, p29. See Chapter Eight: Publications Series.

[10] Letter from name unreadable to David Schak, 2 August 1989. In folder labelled 'Conference opening keynote speaker', MS8054, 24/7/92 consignment, box 4 of 4.

[11] The proposed conference was to be jointly sponsored by the ASAA, the Canadian Asian Studies Association and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. 'ASAA News March Council Meeting from J Ingleson, Secretary', ASAA Review, vol3, no3, April 1980, pp48-50, p50.

[12] 'New Directions in Asian Studies' Conference, held in Singapore, 1-3 February 1989. 'ASAA Matters: Joint ASAA/ Centre for Advanced Studies (NUS)/ ISEAS Conference', ASAA Review, vol12, no1, July, 1988, pp31-32. A second ASAA Offshore Conference, 'Old Cultures in a New Asia' was held in Hong Kong, 28 June-2 July 1991. Following the conference the Executive adopted a motion that further off shore conferences be supported in principle but as 'one-off' events rather than regular initiatives. 'Executive Mtg 2/91 23 August 1991 Minutes'. In folder labelled 'ASAA General', MS8054, 24/7/92 consignment, box 1 of 4.

[13] The results on the referendum on the proposal for holding the 1988 ASAA Conference in Singapore were: strongly agree, or agree 73 (63.5%), disagree or strongly disagree 40 (34.5%). Council decided in view of the substantial opposition to drop the proposal. 'ASAA Council Meeting, November 1985', ASAA Review, vol9, no3, April, 1986, pp69-70, p69.

[14] The 1988 ASAA Conference was held in Canberra, which doubtless would have been seen by some members as a more appropriate venue in the Bicentennial year. Seventh Biennial ASAA Conference (Bicentennial conference of the ASAA), Australian National University, 11-15 February, 1988. Mackie, J, 'Commentary', ASAA Review, vol8, no2, November, 1984, pp40-44, p42. Black, I, 'Council Meeting, November 1984', ASAA Review, vol8, no3, April, 1985, pp30-31, p30. Cushman, J, 'An ASAA Conference in 1988 in Singapore', ASAA Review, vol9, no2, November, 1985, pp129-131.

[15] Evidence given by John Ingleson as ASAA Secretary. Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, (Reference: Australia and ASEAN) Official Hansard transcript of evidence, vol2, Canberra, 1980, 6 May, 1980, pp1446-1535, p1484.

[16] 'Educating for Australia's future with Asia: Opening address to the ASAA Fourth National Conference, May 1982, by Mr JL Menadue, Secretary, Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs', ASAA Review, vol6, no2, November, 1982, pp4-14, pp6-7. Fourth Biennial ASAA Conference, Monash University, 10-14 May, 1982.

[17] Kerkvliet, B, 'An American's view', ASAA Review, vol8, no1, July, 1984, pp11-12, p12.

[18] Blackburn, S, 'Southeast Asia', Asian Studies Review, vol15, no2, November, 1991, pp194-200, p194.

[19] Conversation with Jamie Mackie, Canberra, 4th June 1997. Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997.

[20] Maxwell, R, 'Arts of Asia: Divergent Views An Introduction', ASAA Review, vol12, no2, November, 1988, pp1-3, p1.

[21] McKay, E, 'ASAA Matters: President's Report 1989', ASAA Review, vol12, no3, April, 1989, pp45-47, p47.

[22] Ultimately Elaine McKay (a Southeast Asianist) was elected as President for that 1986-1988 term. She was President again in 1988-1990. In 'South Asia Area Notes' in the Review in 1990 Dr Marika Vicziany wrote, 'The support of ASAA under the Presidency of Elaine McKay has been unstinting'. Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997. Vicziany, M, 'South Asia in an age of "Northeast Asian Ascendancy"', Asian Studies Review, vol14, no2, November, 1990, pp145-160, p145.

[23] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997. Conversation with Jamie Mackie, Canberra, 4th June 1997. Legge, J, 'ASAA's Formation - A Twentieth Birthday Account', Asian Studies Review, vol19, no1, July, 1995, pp83-90, pp88-89. Letter from Anthony Reid to Robert Stern, 9 December 1974. Private papers of Anthony Reid. Letter from Anthony Reid to Gungwu Wang, 9 December 1974. Private papers of Anthony Reid. 'Asian Studies Association of Australia Meeting of Working Committee 1 November 1975 Seminar Room A, Coombs Building Australian National University'. Private papers of Anthony Reid. 'Editorial: Some Issues for the ASAA', Asian Studies Association of Australia Newsletter, vol1, no2, July 1975, pp1-4, pp3-4. 'Statement of the South Asian Studies Association of Australia and New Zealand, approved by the executive, 24 May 1975', Asian Studies Association of Australia Newsletter, vol1, no2, July 1975, p6. A referendum by postal vote was held in November 1981 to establish whether to continue the situation whereby SASA nominated the Councillor for South Asia or to determine that the Councillor for South Asia be elected in the same way as all other Councillors. The latter option was endorsed 146 votes to 53 votes. Letter from John Ingleson to 'Dear Member', 20 November 1981. Private papers of John Ingleson. Ingleson, J, 'August Council Meeting', ASAA Review, vol5, no2, November, 1981, pp45-47, p47. 'Results Constitutional Referendum', ASAA Review, vol5, no3, April, 1982, p47.

[24] 'News and Notes', South Asia Journal of South Asian Studies, no6, December 1976, pp153-155, pp154-155. The Association was renamed the South Asian Studies Association (SASA) in an attempt to be a more international body, probably around the late 1970s. The South Asian Studies Association Homepage. (http://www.une.edu.au/~arts/SouthAsiaNet/sasablur.htm) (21/7/1997). Conversation with Jim Masselos, Sydney, 1st September 1997.

[25] Vicziany, M, 'South Asian Studies and the Dawkins era', ASAA Review, vol12, no1, July, 1988, pp48-57. Vicziany, M, 'South Asia in an age of "Northeast Asian Ascendancy"', Asian Studies Review, vol14, no2, November, 1990, pp145-160. Vicziany, M, 'South Asian studies in the "clever country"', Asian Studies Review, vol15, no2, November, 1991, pp184-194.

[26] Mahony, D, 'Asian studies and social education: old and new imperatives', Asian Studies Review, vol14, no3, April, 1991, pp103-112, p106.

[27] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997. Conversation with Jamie Mackie, Canberra, 4th June 1997.

[28] Asian Studies Council, A National Strategy for the Study of Asia in Australia, Canberra, 1988, pp23-24.

[29] Asia in Australian Higher Education: Report of the Inquiry into the Teaching of Asian Studies and languages in Higher Education, submitted to the Asian Studies Council, Kensington, NSW, 1989.

[30] Vicziany, M, 'South Asian Studies and the Dawkins era', ASAA Review, vol12, no1, July, 1988, pp48-57, pp48-50.

[31] Garnaut, R, Australia and the Northeast Asian ascendancy : report to the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra, 1989.

[32] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997. Another view is that South Asianists have never expected great representation from the ASAA and are able to undertake lobbying activities within their own professional association, SASA. Conversation with Jim Masselos, Sydney, 1st September 1997.

[33] Evidence given by Elaine McKay as ASAA President. Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, (Reference: Australia-India Relations), Melbourne, Tuesday, 16 May 1989, Canberra, 1989, p408. Note that other ASAA members were involved in submissions to the Committee in different capacities. Melbourne South Asian Studies Group, 'Submission to the inquiry into Australia/India relations conducted by the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[34] The response of the Government to the report of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade on Australia-India relations : trade and security, 20 December 1990, Gareth Evans, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Canberra.

[35] Vicziany, M, 'South Asia in an age of "Northeast Asian Ascendancy"', Asian Studies Review, vol14, no2, November, 1990, pp145-160, p145.

[36] Council Minutes, 12 March 1995. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/council/95-2.htm) (15/2/1997).

[37] The region was initially referred to as 'West and Central Asia' but this appeared to have changed to 'West Asia' by 1988. At a 1994 Council Meeting it was reported that 'West Asia' would be replaced with 'West and Central Asia' in the ballot forms for the next Council and Executive elections. Council Minutes, 28 August 1994. (15/2/1997). Only three West Asianists were listed in the 1992 ASAA Asianists Guide. Wood, L, Guide to Asianists in Australia, Nathan, Qld, 1992.

[38] FitzGerald, S, Is Australia an Asian Country?: Can Australia survive in an East Asian future?, St Leonards, NSW, 1997, p8.

[39] Conversation with Helen Jarvis, Sydney, 4th August 1997.

[40] Executive Minutes, 11 March 1995. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/exec/exec95-1.htm) (15/2/1997).

[41] Conversation with Elaine McKay, Canberra, 4th June 1997. West Asia was recognised as a seriously neglected study area in the FitzGerald Report. Asia in Australia Education: Report of the Committee on Asian studies of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Volume 2 Data on Asian Studies in Australia Appendices, Canberra, 1980, p12. The vol15, no2, November 1991 Asian Studies Review had as its theme 'Values and Middle East Scholarship'.

[42] 'Report of the Working Group on Information Resources to ASAA Council Meeting 21 November 1986'. Private Papers of Helen Jarvis. 'Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the Asian Studies Association of Australia 1 August 1987 at the University of Sydney'. Private papers of John Ingleson. Letter from E McKay (ASAA President) to The Librarian, National Library of Australia, 1 March 1988. Private Papers of Helen Jarvis.

[43] McKay, E, 'ASAA Executive meets Asian Studies Council Executive', Asian Studies Review, vol14, no2, November, 1990, pp178-179, p179.

[44] Council Minutes, 6 March 1994. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/council/coun94-1.htm) (15/2/1997).

[45] Executive Minutes, 11 March 1995. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/exec/exec95-1.htm) (15/2/1997).

[46] Springborg, R, 'Middle East Studies in Australia', ASAA Review, vol11, no3, April, 1988, pp10-18, p17. An 'Australian Middle East Association' exists which when approached in 1985 expressed a preference not to affiliate with the ASAA. 'Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the Asian Studies Association of Australia held on Friday 29 November 1985 at the University of New South Wales'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

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