Tensions and borders of national and regional identity in the Mekong: A comparative study of politics and ideology in school curricula

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H07187
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Sociology of education
• Research Institution: Waseda University
• Principal Investigator: BREHM William 早稲田大学, 高等研究所, 講師(任期付) (80801464)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-08-25 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: Historical memory / regionalism / education / Southeast Asia / Mekong

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Over the past three years, I have worked in collaboration with researchers in Southeast Asia as well as across the globe to study the debates, problems, and opportunities of national and regional identity-making inside education systems in the Mekong. The findings from my research project, which will be published in a co-edited collection with Yuto Kitamura (University of Tokyo), suggest regional identity in the Mekong is likely not possible in the near future. Historical memory evolves out of a process of intense debate and tension, which continues to be found at the level of the nation-state. The process is as much about excluding certain groups of people (ethnic minorities or those who advocate alternative versions of history) as it is based on inclusion. Overcoming these deeply ingrained historical memories at the regional-level will present challenges for the foreseeable future.

Free Research Field

Comparative and international education

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

歴史の記憶は、激しい議論や緊張の過程で発展しますが、これは現在でも国民国家レベルで見られる現象です。ただし、この過程は、特定の集団（少数民族や別バージョンの歴史を擁護する人々）を排除すると同時に、実は包括的な歴史を語ることの可能性も秘めています。ASEANの地域レベルで歴史の記憶の深いところまで掘り下げることは、まだしばらくの間、難しいと考えられますが、さまざまな試みが積み重ねられていくなかでより包括的な歴史の語り方を見出していくこともできるかもしれません.