Research Focus

Racism is commonly theorized from the Western perspective but is also prevalent in non-Western contexts. The resurgence of nationalism and its interplay with racism, often salient in the populist politics that espouse such ideologies to construct the notion of "the people," can be observed not only in Western liberal democracies but also in many other places with different political systems and cultures. This has complicated the ways many countries approach a range of social, political, and economic challenges, including democratic backsliding, immigration and refugee crisis, economic inequality, and even foreign policy decisions in dynamic international relations.

This project explores how nationalism and racism intertwine to create various forms of exclusion, marginalization, and intolerance across the Asia-Pacific region. It examines unique cases of racism in the region, analyzing their defining features and underlying patterns. The research seeks to uncover how race is conceptualized by/among different actors, including the ruling elite, the media, and the public in various Asian countries, and how these conceptualizations may resemble or differ from racism in other parts of the world. It will thereby interrogate how the concept of racism is applied to the region, and what other factors — religion, socioeconomic status, gender, historical memory, and more — factor into racism. Also importantly, this project aims to provide policy implications to address these multifaceted challenges.

This research is part of the Stanford Next Asia Policy Lab (SNAPL).

Construction of “The People” and “Others” in “Multiculturalism” Debates

In the increasingly globalized world, Asian countries have undergone significant societal and population changes driven by factors such as demographic crises, immigration, and labor force mobility. Concurrently, issues of inclusion and exclusion, particularly concerning minority and marginalized communities, have gained prominence. This research seeks to investigate the discursive (re)construction and justification of “the people,” those deemed legitimate and authentic members of the nation, and “others,” especially racialized individuals, in policy and legislative debates surrounding the establishment of “multiethnic/multicultural” societies in four Asian countries: China, Japan, Singapore, and the Philippines. Despite differing demographic realities and needs, immigration and citizenship laws, colonial and postcolonial legacies, and the influence of ethnic nationalism and populist politics, these countries embrace “multiculturalism” as both a normative principle and political rhetoric. However, they face mounting concerns related to discrimination, disenfranchisement, xenophobia, and various other forms of intolerance towards marginalized minority communities.

Employing a qualitative comparative approach, this research will analyze parliamentary deliberations and policy documents to understand how national leaders and legislators in these different countries imagine and negotiate the composition of a “multicultural” society. It will also explore the gaps between official, top-down narratives and the actual policy implementation, as well as the responses to bottom-up movements advocating for greater inclusion and social justice. Ultimately, we aim to identify underlying factors contributing to similarities and differences among the selected national contexts.

The Rise of Anti-China Sentiments in U.S. Allies in the Asia-Pacific

The rapid ascent of China is seen as a multifaceted threat, encompassing ideological, military, political, economic, and cultural dimensions. Negative views of China have become prevalent worldwide, from Europe and North America to Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. This project builds on previous work on anti-China sentiments in South Korea by assessing and comparing this rising tide of anti-China sentiments in three Asia-Pacific nations: South Korea, Japan, and Australia. Despite these countries sharing similar political and economic contexts, their negative attitudes toward China differ both temporally and in terms of the leading political and socio-demographic groups responsible for such sentiments.

Given these differences, this project will elucidate underlying factors that shape anti-China sentiments in the three Asia-pacific nations. Also, we seek to explore whether such sentiments stem from their views of China per se or have more to do with the growing U.S.-China conflict. By focusing on different aspects of China’s threat and the U.S.-China competition across the three countries, it will offer a more nuanced understanding of anti-China sentiments among the three publics. Furthermore, as public opinion is becoming more important in the process of foreign policymaking, this project will provide policy-relevant implications not only for the three Asia-Pacific nations but also for the United States and China.

Publications and Related News

South Korea’s Presidential Candidates Face Balancing Act Amid Rising Anti-China Sentiment
The Guardian, March 2022

South Koreans Are Rethinking What China Means to Their Nation
APARC website, February 2022

The Rise of Anti-Chinese Sentiments in South Korea: Political and Security Implications
APARC website, October 2021