This introduction defines in broad contours "alternative discourses" as a collective term referring to attempts at social science theorizing and conceptualization in Asia and elsewhere that emerged as a result of dissatisfaction with mainstream Euroamerican-oriented models, research agendas, and priorities. It distinguishes the legitimate quest for alternative discourses from nativistic trends in the social sciences. Hence, this paper provides the intellectual background for the discussions in this volume on a variety of issues relating to the quest for alternative discourses in Asia.