In Episode 29 Matthias Catón is joined by Sugata Bose, Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs at Harvard University. Following Sugata’s recent publication “Asia After Europe: Imagining a Continent in the Long Twentieth Century”, Matthias and him discuss the how Asia’s history has been defined by Europe and what the current century brings.
Matthias and Sugata’s discussion delve into history, identity and European focus in Asia; looking at ideas of Asian countries psot-independence, prospects of a multipolar region and Asia’s need to detach themselves from a Eurocentric vision of universalism.
With Sugata’s expertise in international history, the episode also looks at economic and business implications for the path of Asia, both as a continent and individual countries. Sugata provides his opinions on aggression and conflict in the region, utilising relations between India and China as a prime example.
This episode is valuable for those interested in an analytical view to Asian history – how did colonialism shape Asia? Why did post-colonial states in Asia adopt European values? What do current geopolitical events in the region mean for its future?
About the guest
Sugata Bose is the Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs, Harvard University. He has served as Director of Graduate Studies in History at Harvard and as the Founding Director of Harvard’s South Asia Institute.
Dr Bose obtained his PhD at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of several books, and his most recent publication, “Asia After Europe” was released in February 2024.
Sugata served as a Member of Parliament in India elected to the 16th Lok Sabha (2014-2019) representing the Jadavpur constituency in Bengal and throughout that period as a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.
Executive Briefing – what you should read now
- Bose, Sugata (2024) Asia After Europe: Imagining a Continent in the Long Twentieth Century
- Gungwu, Wang (2021) Renewal: The Chinese State and the New Global History
- Majapra, Kris (2014) Age of Entanglement: German and Indian Intellectuals Across Empire
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