IJAPS Series for South Asia

Taking India to Market

Retail Revolution and Consumer Culture

In the wake of India’s 1991 economic reforms, trade barriers were lowered and state regulation policies with regard to industrial production and foreign direct investment were significantly liberalized. India transitioned from a state-centric to a market-oriented model of development. Subsequent reforms have spurred a retail revolution, and novel forms of consumer culture have emerged against a background of economic growth. In this connection, contributions that study how and why landscapes of production, trade, regulation and consumption have transformed in contemporary India are encouraged. Tentatively it shall be argued that in spite of the magnitude of India’s retail revolution and rapidly changing forms of consumer culture, these transformations and their effects are not yet well understood in empirical terms. That is to say, studies are particularly welcome that can fill the gap in terms of ‘thick’ descriptions of how everyday political economy frames and conditions the production, trade, regulation and consumption of a wide variety of commodities and services. Additionally, papers that explore the rise of Hindu nationalism with respect to its role in the retail revolution are invited.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Narendra Modi has been in power since 2014, and reflects a broader and deeper fascination with Hindu religious doctrine – for example the idealization of Hindu vegetarianism that is not systematically matched by everyday practice. Hinduism has always been integral to social life among divergent class and caste groups in India, but the retail revolution, consumer culture and the emergence of a new Hindu middle class of about 300 million consumers have increasingly become inseparable from moral markets and consumption – that is, a new configuration of capitalism that makes recurrent reference to Hindu doctrine, aesthetics and practice. As a consequence, the notions of moral markets and consumption have led to a ‘brand’ of divine markets in India in which mass-produced commodities are spiritualized, and spirituality is subjected to a logic of commodification. Conversely, ‘ordinary Hindus’ who are not involved in contemporary religious or political developments, and who are somewhat ambivalent about these, either reluctantly accept these trends or simply reject them as no more than a form of materialism (or material excess) and thus as a shallow display of religiosity.

Finally, research findings that detail how other communities are affected by, and respond to, the above-mentioned transformations – Muslim entrepreneurs or tribal trade networks, for example, are most welcome. Moreover, interest is exhibited in what could be called new business communities, in terms of class, caste, ethnicity and gender, that have entered the Indian economy, and in the ways in which these communities manoeuvre within and beyond India. In sum, original works from within the broader field of social sciences that shed light on India’s rapid transition from bazaars to hypermarkets in the following fields: things/commodities, services and landscapes. Often, these transitions are explored in major urban centres, but studies that explore the retail revolution and consumer culture at the margins too are equally relevant. Potential topics that tie-in the aforesaid theme inter alia: places of worship and monuments; landscapes of retail and consumption: bazaars, supermarkets and hypermarkets; advertisement; regulation; finance; body cultures; physical and social mobility; food cultures and animals: health, nutrition and taste; everyday political economy; visual culture.

AN INVITATION

In this connection the International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies (IJAPS) would like to extend an invitation to scholars from diverse disciplines to contribute a paper in their area of specialisation to this Series.

GUIDELINES

Individual Manuscript

Contributed manuscript should keep within the word count of between 8,000 and 10,000, inclusive of notes, references, appendices, illustrations, etc. Submitted manuscript should comprise an Abstract (max. 200 words) and Keywords (max. 5 words), and Text that has been prepared according to the prescribed journal house-style.
Aforesaid Invitation notwithstanding all submitted manuscripts will undergo the normal double-blind peer review process.

Guest Editor

In a themed issue (consisting a set of between 5 and 7 thematic papers), a Guest Editor (GE) will be identified and appointed by IJAPS. Potential GEs are to provide his/her curriculum vitae for perusal and approval by IJAPS Editor-in-Chief, together with biodata of identified contributors indicating ability/authority as author for their respective papers.

IJAPS Editorial Board represented by the Editor-in-Chief or an appointed representative (a member of the IJAPS Editorial Board) will work closely with the GE in the matter of the selection of reviewers, attending to the reviewers’ report (comments, recommendations, etc.), and take the decision for final approval. Once approved, GE will attend to the details of proofreading (1st reading) and to ensure the papers are formatted to IJAPS house-style. Two GEs are also possible. (Note: The candidate for GE needs to be a scholar of international standing in his/her field for it will lend immense credibility to the published papers and for IJAPS.)

All articles to be submitted by the GE for publication must have gone through peer review process which is coordinated by the GE. The GE is to keep record of the review report and submit them to the journal for record purpose.

The GE is to ensure that the selected contributors or a majority of contributors do not come from one single institution. Preferably, and if possible, contributors to come from various disciplines, a gender balance, institutions/universities, and countries/continents are much appreciated to reflect the diversity of scholarship.

DEADLINES

Interested Authors need to submit a draft Abstract (max. 200 words) and Keywords (max. 5 words). Only Authors of approved Abstracts should proceed with the manuscript.

Submitted manuscript should be forwarded in electronic format (Microsoft Word) within a window of 6 and 8 months following approval of Abstract. All submitted manuscripts shall go through a double blind peer review that might involve 2 or 3 reviewers, revisions, re-evaluation, etc., a lengthy process.

Currently, we are accepting abstracts.

INQUIRIES

For queries, please contact:

Associate Professor Johan Fischer (johanf[at]ruc.dk)
Department of Social Sciences and Business
Roskilde University, Denmark

An interesting feature introduced by the International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies since 2012 is Scholarly Viewpoints that showcase opinions, comments, ideas, and viewpoints of well renowned scholars on the Asia Pacific region pertaining to their respective academic discipline. This additional feature will further add value to the journal’s uniqueness as a scholarly journal.

Interviews are conducted by the Editor-in-Chief, or his/her representative, with senior scholars in the fields of specialization within the scope of the journal.

The overall themes of interview questions put forth to scholars are as follows:

• Current trend of discipline; specifically in the context of the Asia Pacific region
• Impact of the discipline on the Asia Pacific region; ‘what’, ‘how’, ‘why’, etc.
• Comments on the state of recent (last 2-3 decades) scholarship of the discipline
• Comments on current scholars of the discipline, viz. indigenous of the Asia Pacific region or from without, interests, characteristics, etc.
• Future of the discipline in relation to the Asia Pacific region, viz. trends, direction, vision
• Offering advice, guidance for up-and-coming scholars focusing on the Asia Pacific region
• Any other opinions, viewpoints to express, share, etc.

We are pleased to announce another timely publication of the International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies’ latest issue: Vol. 12, No. 2, the second issue of 2017.

This issue consists of the following contributions by authors from various academic institutions:

• Coordinators Bridge Residents and Artists in Regional Japan: A Case Study of the Art Project Hanarart, by Shiro Horiuchi
• Constructs of Development from Inside the Development Communication Syllabi, by Jonalou S. Labor
• Arabs and “Indo-Arabs” in Indonesia: Historical Dynamics, Social Relations and Contemporary Changes, by Sumanto Al Qurtuby
• “We Are the World Itself”: The Construction of “Good” Citizenship and Deviations from It in Ergo Proxy, by Arnab Dasgupta
• Street-based Corruption in the Philippines: Exploring Kotong Frame Alignments Between Enforcers and Motorists in a City in Metro Manila, by Hannah Frances C. Bodegon, Prince Aian G. Villanueva, Janessa Polly J. Esber, Jon Christian A. Fernando, John Andrew C. Guevarra and Charles Daniell B. Valeriano
• Building a New Academic Field: The Institutionalisation of Taiwan Studies in Europe, by Hardina Ohlendorf
• The Many Faces of Tsai Ming-Liang: Cinephilia, the French Connection, and Cinema in the Gallery, by Beth Tsai
• The Passing of Emeritus Professor Nicholas Tarling
• Peter Nicholas Tarling: A Tribute, by Ooi Keat Gin
• Keynote Address – Southeast Asia: Imperial Themes, by Wang Gungwu

In addition to seven original pieces, the journal has also re-published (with permission) two articles, in tribute to one of our editorial board members, the late Emeritus Prof. Nicholas Tarling, who passed away on 13 May 2017.

We congratulate all of our authors, and we extend our appreciation to our reviewers, editorial board members and readers for continuous support to the journal and the publisher.

We are delighted to announce the latest publication of the International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies (IJAPS) Vol. 13, No. 1, the journal’s first issue of 2017.

This another timely publication features the following articles (the issue can also be accessed here):

• Fundamental Liberties in the Malayan Constitution and the Search for a Balance, 1956–1957, by Joseph M. Fernando and Shanthiah Rajagopal
• Iran and Southeast Asia: An Analysis of Iran’s Policy of “Look to the East,” by Mohammad Soltaninejad
• Gendered Citizenship: A Case Study of Paid Filipino Male Live-In Caregivers in Toronto, by Dionisio Nyaga and Rose Ann Torres
• Overview of ASEAN Environment, Transboundary Haze Pollution Agreement and Public Health, by Nazia Nazeer and Fumitaka Furuoka
• Humanism in Islamic Education: Indonesian References, by Abur Hamdi Usman, Syarul Azman Shaharuddin and Salman Zainal Abidin
• Book Review: Radicals: Resistance and Protest in Colonial Malaya, by Abu Talib Ahmad

Congratulations to all authors contributing for this latest publication. We also extend our warm appreciation to our tireless reviewers and readers with the continued support and feedback.

Call for Papers:  International Conference on Tainan Area Studies

“Political, Economic and Cultural Development of the Early Tainan Region (10th-18th Century),” 20-21 October 2017

The Tainan area prides itself on being an historical, political and economic center with a cultural background. This identity defines the distinct lifestyles, customs, beliefs, and ideologies that makes Tainan an integral part of Taiwanese society. The theme of this conference highlights the early political, economic and cultural development in this region (10th–18th century). How can we envision the Tainan region as a center and crossroad for indigenous trade, religious, and cultural networks? What are the academic challenges in exploring some of the linkages between the island’s prehistory and indigenous Formosan (aboriginal) society juxtaposed with the subsequent Han migration and its settlement patterns? Of particular interest are topics that emphasize how the localization of these cultural encounters generated (or not) a unique blend of historical circumstances that characterize the Tainan area, past and present.

Panel Topics

We invite abstract submissions for the following themes:

• Archaeology and Tainan indigenous society
• Han settlement in Tainan (17th and 18th centuries)
• Cultural change and indigenous society (17th and 18th centuries)
• The Dutch East India Company in perspective
• Social and culture origins of the Nanying area (Tainan)
• The Koxinga dynasty and its international network
• New historical data and research trends (17th and 18th centuries)

Dates and Venue of the Conference

Dates: October 20-21, 2017 (Friday and Saturday)
Venue: National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), No.1, University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan

Abstract Submission Due

December 31, 2016

Paper Submission Due

August 31, 2017

Submission Process

In preparing your abstract and paper, please take note of the following guidelines:

• Please submit a tentative paper title and a 350 word abstract (English) & 500 word abstract (Chinese) and 5 keywords, as well as a copy of your curriculum vitae by the deadline.
• The languages of the conference will be English and Chinese. The abstract and paper can be written in either English or Chinese.

Financial Support

Paper presenters are eligible for a grant covering travel costs and living expenses during the conference.

Contact

No 245, Liu-an Village, Jiali District, Tainan City, 72242, Taiwan.
Tel: 886 (0)6 7212338
E-mail: ic.tahr@gmail.com
Contact: Mr Sheng-Chih WEN

Planning Committee

• The International Center for Tainan Area Humanities and Social Sciences Research (ICTAHR)
• National Museum of Taiwan History
• Cultural Affairs Bureau of Tainan City Government
• Institute of Archaeology, National Cheng Kung University
• Department of Taiwan Culture, Languages and Literature, National Taiwan Normal University

We are delighted to inform our readers that the International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies (IJAPS) Vol. 12, Supp. 1 is now published. This is a special issue spearheaded by Stephen C. Druce (Universiti Brunei Darussalam) on Orality, Writing and History: The Literature of the Bugis and Makasar of South Sulawesi.

The articles, downloadable as open access in dual formats: PDF and EPUB are as follow (you may also view full list here):

• Orality, Writing and History: The Literature of the Bugis and Makasar of South Sulawesi (Introduction to Special Issue), by Stephen C. Druce
• Christian Pelras and His Work: 17 August 1934–19 July 2014, by Campbell Macknight
• Orality and Writing among the Bugis, by Christian Pelras (transl. Campbell Macknight)
• The Media of Bugis Literacy: A Coda to Pelras, by Campbell Macknight
• Transmitting the Past in South Sulawesi: The hikajat Sawitto and Other Bugis and Makasar Historical Works, by Stephen C. Druce
• Family Matters: Bugis Genealogies and Their Contribution to Austronesian Studies, by Ian Caldwell and Kathryn Wellen
• The Inside View on Makassar’s 16th to 17th Century History: Changing Marital Alliances and Persistent Settlement Patterns, by David Bulbeck
• The Pau-paunnaIndale Patara: Sufism and the Bugis Adaption and Transformation of the Hikayat Inderaputera, by Nurhayati Rahman
• Narratives of Sexuality in Bugis and Makasar Manuscripts, by Muhlis Hadrawi

On behalf of the Editor-in-Chief and the publisher, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM Press), we express our appreciation to contributing authors.