East Timor, René Girard and Neocolonial Violence: Scapegoating as Australian Policy

Description

In a new historical interpretation of the relationship between Australia and East Timor, Susan Connelly draws on the mimetic theory of René Girard to show how the East Timorese people were scapegoated by Australian foreign policy during the 20th century. Charting key developments in East Timor’s history and applying three aspects of Girard’s framework – the scapegoat, texts of persecution and conversion – Connelly reveals Australia’s mimetic dependence on Indonesia and other nations for security. She argues that Australia’s complicity in the Indonesian invasion and occupation of East Timor perpetuated the sacrifice of the Timorese people as victims, thus calling into question the traditional Australian values of egalitarianism and fairness. Connelly also examines the embryonic conversion process apparent in levels of recognition of the innocent victim and of the Australian role in East Timor’s suffering, as well as the consequent effects on Australian self-perception. Emphasising Girardian considerations of fear, suffering, forgiveness and conversion, this book offers a fresh perspective on Australian and Timorese relations that in turn sheds light on the origins and operations of human violence. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Dedication Contents Map Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction 1 A new way of seeing: Mimetic theory 2 Australian identity and relationships 3 World War II 4 The Indonesian invasion of East Timor 5 The occupation of East Timor 6 Collapse and resurgence 7 Solidarity and conversion Afterword Appendix: René Girard at a Glance Glossary of Key Girardian Terms Notes Introduction 1 A new way of seeing: Mimetic theory 2 Australian identity and relationships 3 World War II 4 The Indonesian invasion of East Timor 5 The occupation of East Timor 6 Collapse and resurgence 7 Solidarity and conversion Afterword Bibliography Index