Who introduced the concept of Orientalism, focusing on Western perceptions of the East?

The concept of Orientalism was introduced by Edward Said in his influential 1978 book titled "Orientalism." In this work, Said argues that Western representations of Eastern cultures—particularly those of the Middle East and Asia—are rooted in a long-standing tradition of stereotyping, misunderstanding, and political imperialism. He discusses how these representations are not merely innocuous or benign observations; instead, they serve to establish and maintain a power dynamic where the West assumes superiority over the East. This framework has profoundly impacted literary criticism, cultural studies, and post-colonial theory, emphasizing the constructed nature of cultural identities and the implications of how the West views the East.

The other individuals mentioned, while significant in their own right, do not have the same foundational role in the concept of Orientalism as Said does. Vesna Goldsworthy and Larry Wolff have contributed to discussions about the Balkans and Eastern Europe, and Magdalena Środa is noted for her work in gender studies, but none have introduced the specific concept of Orientalism in the same way that Edward Said has.