Can someone help me define Western Civilization?

[NedimNapoleon]

Im offended why are we (Bosnia) with the Takbir peoples, hell its better to be with them then to be with Mother Russia

 

[Theige]

In reality "Western Civilization" has become the entire world's civilization; nearly every important invention and scientific advance over the last 2 or 3 centuries has been produced by Western countries.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

Dark blue = west.

Ugh, Huntington. I read the book. The first half is suprisingly good, but then it get's stupid. For one he places too much emphasis on religon: Italy (catholic) and Greece (orthodox) are different civilizations, but Tunesia, Turkey, Qatar, Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia are all the same.

 

[Lillefix]

Im offended why are we (Bosnia) with the Takbir peoples, hell its better to be with them then to be with Mother Russia

Yeah, it's because of religion. Bosnia is partly muslim, ergo not western apparently. I disagree though. I feel western has more to do with the general attitude towards religion in society than the kind of religion.

 

[BuckyRea]

To be Muslim is to not be part of western civilization?

Eat it, Muhammad Ali! Go back home to your remote Arabic village, Karim Abdul Jabbar!


Ahem... Uh, sorry about that, folks.


.

 

[Dachs]

Colbert and Stewart already made that joke on the Mall.

Western civilization is whatever the person defining it wants it to be.

 

[Tee Kay]

Obviously, definition is going to vary from person to person. But here's mine.

Red - "full" West. All have "Judeo-Christian" (for what that term is worth) historical and cultural foundation. All are "white". All are liberal democracies. All are relatively wealthy compared to most of the rest of the world. Most share common economic, foreign and defence policies.
Pink - "marginal" West. These countries have at least some of the characteristics listed above, but especially the "Judeo-Christian tradition" part.
Yellow - are NOT Western countries, but are as economically developed as Western countries.

 

[Lillefix]

I would make Israel pink. And saying that Slovenia is fully western while Croatia is not, seems a bit random to me(you're probably thinking about the EU, but I still find it a bit strange).

 

[Tee Kay]

I would make Israel pink. And saying that Slovenia is fully western while Croatia is not, seems a bit random to me(you're probably thinking about the EU, but I still find it a bit strange).

Yep, I was thinking about the EU. But Croatia is part of NATO, so perhaps...

And I maintain that Israel is a "full" Western country, and it is probably seen as a Western country by many in the Non-West.

 

[NedimNapoleon]

I would make Israel pink. And saying that Slovenia is fully western while Croatia is not, seems a bit random to me(you're probably thinking about the EU, but I still find it a bit strange).

I've been in Slovenia and they're more like Austria then Croatia, they are westernized completely, Croatia is Bosnia

 

[Lillefix]

I've been in Slovenia and they're more like Austria then Croatia, they are westernized completely, Croatia is Bosnia

Really? Interesting.

And Tailless. Just nitpicking, but I think you forgot Cyprus. But then again, everybody forgets Cyprus.

 

[Tee Kay]

And Tailless. Just nitpicking, but I think you forgot Cyprus. But then again, everybody forgets Cyprus.

I did forget Cyprus! And maybe I should've color Georgia and Armenia pink too.

 

[Leoreth]

Western civilization is like pornography - it's difficult to define, but you know it when you see it.

 

[Brian Shanahan]

I like Gandhi's definition myself:
"I think it would be a good idea."

 

[Skwink]

Dark blue = west.

EDIT: Maybe this map has been edited from its original book version. What is the ireland north of Australia cast as dark blue for?

Can give somebody give me an explaination for South Korea and Japan being Western?

By Ireland, I assume you mean Philippines. I also wonder how it's higher than the US.

 

[NedimNapoleon]

Well the balkans not being westernized kind of bothers me, I think we are, I live in Bosnia and I lived in the US, Slovenia, Canada and I think we are westernized, Moldavia isn't near us and we're in the same group

 

[Gustave5436]

Can give somebody give me an explaination for South Korea and Japan being Western?

They are highly developed economically. Japan in particular was basically a European nation after the Meiji Restoration, what with the imperialism and oppressing overseas nations and all that business.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

I wouldn't exclude Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

These countries have successfully "Westernized"

I realize Hong Kong is nominally part of the PRC, but in reality it is much different from the mainland and is almost entirely self-governed.

We see ourselves as modernized, but hardly Westernized.

Not even in Singapore, where English is the main language of government and business.

 

[Dachs]

Western civilization is like pornography - it's difficult to define, but you know it when you see it.

Isn't Potter Stewart awesome?

 

[ParadigmShifter]

Aren't holidays brilliant?


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Or are they RUBBISH


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