Westernization
Westernization is a process whereby traditional, long-established societies come under the influence of Western culture in such matters as industry, technology, law, politics, economics, lifestyle, diet, language, alphabet, religion and values. Westernization has been a pervasive and accelerating influence across the world in the last few centuries.
Westernization can also be related to the process of acculturation. Acculturation refers to the changes that occur within a society or culture when two different groups come into direct continuous contact. After the contact, changes in cultural patterns within either or both cultures are evident. More specifically, Westernization refers to the effects of Western expansion and colonialism on native societies.
For example, natives who have adopted European languages and characteristic Western customs are called acculturated or Westernized. Westernization may be forced or voluntary depending on the situation of the contact.
Different degrees of domination, destruction, resistance, survival, adaptation, and modification of the native culture, follows interethnic contact. In a situation where the native culture experiences destruction as a result of a more powerful outsider, a “shock phase” often is a result from the encounter. This shock phase is especially characteristic during interactions involving expansionist or colonialist eras. During the shock phase, civil repression using military force may lead to a cultural collapse, or ethnocide, which is a culture’s physical extinction. Often, the intruders will attempt to remake the native culture within their own image, ignoring the fact that the models of culture that they have created are inappropriate for settings outside of western civilization. (Phillip, Conrad. (2005). Window on Humanity. New York: McGraw-Hill)
Contents |
Definition of the West
Main article: Western civilization
Territorial
The West was originally defined as Western Europe, but most modern uses of the term refer to the societies of Western and Central Europe and their close genealogical, linguistic, and philosophical colonial descendants, typically included are those countries whose ethnic identity and dominant culture are derived from European culture.
The Western civilization can be defined as at least North-America, West and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand. North America includes the U.S.A., Canada and Greenland (as part of Denmark). Widening this definition however invites controversy. This widened definition can include these countries, or a combination of these countries:
- Latin-America. Some people regard Latin-America as a Westernized part of the world (language, culture, etc.), and so a part of the Western world. Many native (sub) cultures and languages remain in this part of the world however.
- Israel. Some people add Israel to the Western civilization, as about 2/3 of all Jews worldwide live in the West, as the Western culture is rooted in a Jewish-Christian tradition, because the Jewish community has strong historical and cultural ties with Europe, and because of Israeli membership of European organizations (like UEFA and the Eurovision song contest).
- South Africa. South Africa is most of the times considered Western because of its languages (English, Afrikaans) and because of its religion (Christianity). Furthermore it has a similar economic system.
- Former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Some people add these countries to the definition of the West, as they have in many ways the same roots as Western Europe. This view has increasingly gained support, especially since the disintegration of communism and the current European integration process that is a direct result of that disintegration. Others, however, like the American political scientist Samuel P. Huntington, consider the majority-Orthodox Christian part of Europe as different from the West.
- Turkey. Turkey is considered by some as Muslim and European (Western). The shared history, the membership of certain European organizations, the membership of NATO and the wish to become part of the European Union could be regarded as signs that this is the case.
- The Philippines. The Philippines are sometimes considered Western because of their Spanish-influenced languages and due to the fact that most of the people are Roman Catholic. The Filipinos' culture has been influenced by Spain and the United States. Furthermore, about 3.6% of the Filipino population are of European origin.
- Japan (and the original East Asian Tigers). Japan is sometimes considered Western, as this country supported the West during the Cold War, has a similar economic system and welfare, is a stable democracy, protects human rights, is member of typical Western organizations (like the OECD), etc. The cultural aspect is neglected in this definition however. Japan has a unique culture with distinct non-Western traits. Furthermore South Korea, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore can be regarded as Western for the same reasons.
- Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand). With American statehood of Hawaii, French control of French Polynesia, the colonial influence of Britain, and the current political influence of both Australia and New Zealand, Oceania is gradually, but inevitably, becoming more and more "westernized".
Personal
A different view on the Western world is not defining it by its territorium, but by its people, as these tend to differ in an increasingly globalized world. This view highlights the non-Western population in countries with a Western majority, or vice versa. The Boers for instance can be regarded as Western inhabitans of South Africa.
Differences
It would be incorrect to regard the Western world as a monolithic bloc, as there exist many cultural, linguistic, religious, political, and economical differences between Western countries and populations.
Process of Westernization
Colonization (1492-1960s)
Main article: Colonialism
Europeanization
From 1492 onward, Europeanization and colonialism spread gradually over the world, colonizing almost every part of the world. During this period a strong influence was exercised on the indigenous cultures. During this period, many colonies indigenous populations have willingly or have been forced to assimilate certain elements of European culture, like the language of the European motherland or the Christian religion. In many cases the indigenous population was supplanted or marginalized by European (and African) immigrants.
The two World Wars weakened the European powers to such extent that many colonies strived for independence, often inspired by nationalistic movements. A period of decolonization started. At the end of the 1960s, most colonies were autonomous. Those new states often adopted some aspects of Western culture, like for instance the adoption of constitution.
Reactions
Asia
A reaction to Westernization can include fundamentalism and protectionism. Countries such as Japan and China tried to adopt isolationism, but they have been unable to resist the adoption of many aspects of Western culture.
Globalization (1960s-now)
Westernization is often regarded as a part of the ongoing process of globalization. The main characteristics are economic liberalization (free trade) and democratization, combined with the spread of an individualised culture. Often it was also regarded of the opposite of the worldwide influence of communism. After the break up of the USSR in 1991, many of its component states and allies nevertheless underwent westernization, including privatization of hitherto state-controlled industry.
Westernization as globalization is seen by some as progress, as for instance democracy and free trade spread gradually throughout the world. Some people view westernization however as a disadvantage, as for example Asian cultures who have traditionally existed on a primarily plant-based diet might lose this healthy lifestyle as more people in Asia switch to a Western-style diet that is rich in animal-based foods. (Cornell Times, 2001[1])
Consequences
America
Due to the European colonization, the American continent has gradually assimilated the European languages. In the U.S.A., Canada, Argentina and Uruguay almost the entire population has been replaced by European (and African) immigrants. In these countries there are thus almost no traces left of other cultures or languages. In countries like Mexico and Peru substantial indigenous populations were incorporated, though there remain some regions of traits of these cultures.
Linguistic
In short, it could be roughly said that on the American continents there are only four important languages: English (U.S.A. and Canada), Spanish (Latin-America except Brazil), Portuguese (Brazil) and French (Quebec, Canada). These languages are European in origin.
Religion
Christianity, which is dominant in Western society, has influenced countries around the world to use the Gregorian calendar, based on the birth of Jesus Christ.
See also
The West
Cultural influence
Europe and USA
|
|
Other
|
Other
- Anti-Americanism represents a hostility towards the government, culture, or people of the U.S.A.
- Democratic peace theory is a theory which holds that democracies (almost) never go to war with one another.
- Diseases of affluence are diseases thought to be a result of increasing wealth.
- North-South divide is the socio-economic division which exists between the wealthy developed "North" and the poorer developing "South".
References
- The Idea of the West (2004), written by Alastair Bonnett (Palgrave)
- The Decline of the West (1918), written by Oswald Spengler.
- The End of History and the Last Man (1992), written by Francis Fukuyama.
- The Clash of Civilizations (1996), written by Samuel P. Huntington.
Categories
Globalization | Neologisms | Cultural assimilation | Cultural geography