Protecting the Weak

Protecting the Weak: Entangled processes of framing, mobilization and institutionalization in East Asia

 

 

                                  

 


Within the framework of its initiative "Key issues for Academia and Society", the Volkswagen Foundation is supporting our three year interdiscplinary resarch project

"Protecting the Weak:
Entangled processes of framing, mobilization and institutionalization in East Asia"

which was launched on January 1st, 2014 at the IZO (Interdisciplinary Centre for East Asian Studies) at Goethe University.


Protecting the Weak in East Asia: Framing, Mobilisation and Institutionalisation

Edited by Iwo Amelung, Moritz Bälz, Heike Holbig, Matthias Schumann, Cormelia Storz

This book summarizes the theoretical debates and empirical findings of a interdisciplinary research project at Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, funded by the Volkswagen Foundation over four years (2014-2017). It investigates public claims for the protection of weak groups and interests in Japan and China from the nineteenth century to the present day. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, it engages with ongoing global debates relevant to both Western and non-Western societies whilst also providing an historically informed analysis of contemporary issues.

Using case studies on disaster victims, employee well-being, cultural heritage and animal welfare, this book analytically distinguishes between framing, mobilisation and institutionalisation processes. It examines these processes at the intersections of international and domestic spheres and, in doing so, demonstrates how drives for protection are formulated, contested and played out in practice. Ultimately however, this book argues that claims for protection do not necessarily translate into effective measures, but may in fact entail ambiguous or negative outcomes for the protected ‘weak’. 

Protecting the Weak in East Asia makes a significant contribution to the empirical and theoretical research into the transformation of East Asian societies. As such, it will appeal to students and scholars of Asian history, Asian culture and society and East Asian Studies more broadly.

https://www.routledge.com/Protecting-the-Weak-in-East-Asia-Framing-Mobilisation-and-Institutionalisation