Your Defenition of "the west"

[Sidhe]

Oh, how I was waiting for this.

Fine, if the events of 1939 are representative for today's Europe, then shame on Germany and Italy for being such brutal fascists; Merkel should stop her anti-Semetic rantings and give everyone equal rights in Germany, and Prodi should stop trying to invade Ethiopia and Albania.

Wait a second...

Your the one who seems to think the West can do no wrong and isn't now. This isn't even a strawman it's to facile for even that.

 

[amadeus]

Putting words into my mouth now? Sheesh.

 

[Sidhe]

Putting words into my mouth now? Sheesh.

Not really just asking you to learn about history, it isn't irrelevant, it isn't even close to being that, learn the mistakes of the past, which have created this whole sorry state of affairs now, a holistic approach is the best way to tackle this situation. Not assuming a vaccuum is the best way to get your opinion; If you don't think history applies then your the man that the phrase: those who do not learn from mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat it: are aimed at. I wish Bush had of been taught about history, actually I wonder sometimes if he learnt anything at school?

 

[Swedishguy]

White Christians.

I'm white but is not christian! Gahh!

No, the western hemisphere is marked out by kids believing Thailand is on the west-african coast.

 

[The Last Conformist]

The year 1939 should put another point to mind; "the West" is not, and have never been, a unitary actor. Blaming "it" for any particular ills, or praising it for any particular goods, is meaningless.

 

[mangxema]

Anyplace worth living?

Oh, and none of those crazy picture alphabets either.

 

[The Last Conformist]

Anyplace worth living?

So Alabama isn't in the West?

 

[Perfection]

I thought the pillars were Capitalism, Democracy, and Playboy?

Playboy a mere volute.

 

[Elta]

Anyplace worth living?

Oh, and none of those crazy picture alphabets either.

Actually using the Roman alphabeta is a pretty decent defenition .... it takes Russia off ....*intresting* the alphabeta is a pretty good indication of euro-western influince ....why didn't I think of that? good find

 

[mangxema]

So Alabama isn't in the West?

Touche'.

Seriously though, as much as I dislike Alabama, I must admit that given the choice between it or just about anywhere in Africa, I'd choose Alabama in a heartbeat.

 

[Bast]

The year 1939 should put another point to mind; "the West" is not, and have never been, a unitary actor. Blaming "it" for any particular ills, or praising it for any particular goods, is meaningless.

So? The Islamic world has been fighting within itself since its inception. So it doesn't exist?

The thread says your definition of "the west". It's not about whether it's ALL good or ALL bad.

In 1939, it was divided but it doesn't mean it's not united now or shouldn't be.

 

[Bast]

Oh, how I was waiting for this.

Fine, if the events of 1939 are representative for today's Europe, then shame on Germany and Italy for being such brutal fascists; Merkel should stop her anti-Semetic rantings and give everyone equal rights in Germany, and Prodi should stop trying to invade Ethiopia and Albania.

Wait a second...

 

[The Last Conformist]

So? The Islamic world has been fighting within itself since its inception. So it doesn't exist?

If you'd read my posts, you'll notice I have not said that the West does not exist. I said it's never been a unitary actor, which is not the same thing.

The thread says your definition of "the west". It's not about whether it's ALL good or ALL bad.

I gave my definition on the first page of this thread.

 

[Bast]

never been a unitary actor

The western world is not a single political entity and will never be. But just because there are conflicts doesn't mean that the western world as a united concept still doesn't exist.

Because it's defined by culture, history, religion, languages and traditions.

For instance, Germany was divided into East and West Germany (two countries that could've gone to war against each other). But that doesn't mean that the people there aren't still Germans, who spoke German and who has a culture and history and fundamental values that's shared.

 

[Bast]

And if it's not united, it should be.

 

[Azkonus]

For instance, Germany was divided into East and West Germany (two countries that could've gone to war against each other). But that doesn't mean that the people there aren't still Germans, who spoke German and who has a culture and history and fundamental values that's shared.

And the reason you love Germans so much? Since you mention them highly in almost in every thread.

 

[The Last Conformist]

The western world is not a single political entity and will never be. But just because there are conflicts doesn't mean that the western world as a united concept still doesn't exist.

Obviously the West exists as a concept - otherwise we wouldn't be having this thread. But existing as a concept doesn't imply existing as an actor to which responsibility can be assigned. It doesn't even imply existence as an object; witness unicorns.

Now, would you restrict yourself to replies that actually address what I'm saying, or failing that just shut up?

 

[Bast]

And the reason you love Germans so much? Since you mention them highly in almost in every thread.

I know some German and am continuing to learn it. I like the history and great German historical figures like Goethe and Einstein. But I don't think love Germans so much and I certainly am not loving them so much in this thread or other threads. So I don't know where you got that from.

 

[Bast]

to which responsibility can be assigned.

Of course responsibility cannot be assigned. Why the hostility?

 

[Bast]

I'm not understanding why there seems to be so much anger in this simple thread which seeks to define "the west". Why are we on edge?