This unit looks at political manipulation in Asian history, both known and suspected cases. We will examine the political circumstances in which untruth is an attractive strategy, the potential benefits and costs which it brings, and the shadowy lines between outright lies, distortion, misrepresentation, propaganda and spin. We will examine the manipulation both of particular events and of worldviews though indoctrination and propaganda, all with a sideways attention to the philosophical problem of determining what might constitute truth. We pay special attention to conspiracy as a form of lie, which directly affects politics. The course will consist of both theoretical lectures and lectures (some by guest lecturers) devoted to particular cases. These cases will be largely, but not exclusively, drawn from Asian history. We expect to cover issues such as: the Tanaka Memorial (Japan), the 1965 Gestapu coup and the 1997 anti-Chinese riots (Indonesia), the fall of Lin Biao (China), the bombing of Hiroshima (Japan/US), the assassinations of King Ananda Mahidol (Thailand), Aung San (Burma) and Indira Gandhi (India), the Gulf of Tonkin incident (Vietnam/US), the Nanjing Massacre (China/Japan), the Panchen Lama reincarnation (Tibet), the Tampa affair and the Windshuttle debate over genocide in Tasmania (Australia) and the use of propaganda on both sides in the so-called ‘war against terror’, including the Iraq war. Conspiracy theory in its crude sense is common in the United States and serious theorizing about conspiracy and conspiracy theories is based almost entirely on American cases. This theorizing identifies conspiracy theory mainly as a challenge to assumptions that the United States is a democracy. This perspective is relevant in Asia, but obviously not the only or even the most important issue needing attention. To some extent, therefore, we will be feeling our way theoretically as we develop the structure of the course.

One essay 3500 words (60%), short outline essay 400-500 words (10%), annotated bibliography (10%), class participation (20%). Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but may expect more rigorous assessment and additional assignment work, tailored to the graduate students’ interests.

Permission of convenor