Ear to Asia

di Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

Politica Società e cultura

Stagione 1

Is democracy at risk in India?

India has been slipping down the league tables of democratic health recently, with concerns over persistent crackdowns on dissent by the Hindu nationalist-led government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Just how robust is the nation’s democracy? How does India reconcile its membership in coalitions of democracies, such as the Quad, with criticism at home over the erosion of religious and media freedoms? And why should the world care about rising illiberalism in India? Political scientist Dr Pradeep Taneja, and Suhasini Haidar, national and diplomatic affairs editor of The Hindu, join Peter Clarke to examine what’s at risk in a more majoritarian India. Twitter handles: Pradeep Taneja: @PradeepKTaneja Suhasini Haidar: @suhasinih An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Framing and shaming body size in Japan

In Japan, slender bodies are prized and body size is regarded as a personal responsibility. Meanwhile, Japan’s government views the trend of increasing average body weight as a public health problem. In this social milieu, how do those with non-conforming body sizes feel about themselves? How is Japan’s conception of body image changing? Gender studies researcher Assoc Professor Claire Maree and cultural anthropologist Dr Cindi SturtzSreetharan examine the relationships between body size, body image and culture with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Who's fighting for the environment in China?

China’s natural environment has paid a high price for the nation’s economic success. And despite the Chinese government’s aversion to collective action, there are NGOs working hard to save the environment. So how do NGOs operate in this milieu? How much of Beijing’s recent concern for the environment is owed to the actions of civil society? Human geographer Professor Mark Wang and political scientist Associate Professor Fengshi Wu examine the state of environmental politics in China with presenter Peter Clarke. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Caste and the corporation, in India and abroad

India’s caste system remains alive and thriving, both in India and in its global diaspora. Seven decades after the passing of laws to fight discrimination, caste continues to dictate who Indians can marry, their prospects for education and jobs, and even where they may live. Caste’s pernicious effects also extend to businesses, from Mumbai to Silicon Valley, holding sway over both individual careers and corporate performance. Prof Hari Bapuji and Dr Dolly Kikon join presenter Ali Moore to discuss the growing reach of caste in a globalised world. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

How seriously does Australia take the learning of Asian languages?

For Australia, proficiency in the languages of its major Asian trading partners can yield important insights into what makes those societies and economies tick. But does Australia possess the linguistic skills for deep engagement with the region? And what will it take to get more Australians to take up Asian languages? Prof Melissa Crouch and Dr Lewis Mayo join presenter Ali Moore to examine the opportunities and challenges in learning the languages of Asia. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

What growing China-Russia ties mean for the world order

China and Russia are now arguably closer than they've ever been, with rapidly growing military and economic cooperation. Will the strength of these ties herald the end of U.S. hegemony in the Western Pacific? And do the two authoritarian giants share a vision by which they can reshape the world? International relations experts Professor Elizabeth Wishnick and Dr Alexander Korolev take a deep dive into Sino-Russian solidarity with presenter Peter Clarke. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Australia caught in the escalating US-China rivalry

Australia is finding itself increasingly torn between its largest trading partner, China, and its long-time ally, the United States. So, what is the value vs the cost of Australia’s alliance with the US? And what will it take to repair relations with China? International strategy expert Professor Michael Wesley examines this geopolitical triangle with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Federalism to the rescue in ethnically divided Asian societies

Colonialism has often left diverse and mutually hostile ethnic groups trapped inside a common national border. In Asia, countries like Myanmar and Sri Lanka have played out their unresolved ethnic divisions in prolonged civil unrest and bloodshed. How can ethnically splintered nations find a way forward? Can federalism be utilised to ease conflict and promote stability? Asia governance experts Prof Baogang He and Dr Michael Breen dive into the details with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Pakistan, the Taliban, and the future of Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Taliban is poised to take the reins in Kabul with the looming withdrawal of US troops. Although dependent on Pakistan in the past, the Taliban are now more geopolitically savvy. So what influence would Islamabad have in a new Taliban-led Afghanistan? And what can the world expect from a Taliban 2.0 government? South Asia observers Assoc Prof Matthew Nelson and Dr Zahid Ahmed join Ali Moore to discuss Afghanistan’s possible futures. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Traitors and treason in the collective Chinese imagination

While traitors are despised in most societies, the preferred term in China, hànjiān, is not only highly charged but also takes on ethno-centric dimensions. So how has the Chinese concept of the traitor been put to political use by China’s post-dynastic governments? And what is regarded as treasonous behaviour in contemporary China? Dr Craig Smith and Dr Matthew Galway dive into the details with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

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