Difference between revisions of "Western world"
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== Definitions == | == Definitions == | ||
| − | The term ''''Western'''' It can refer to the [[NS]] societies based (by the [[player]]) on [[Europe]] and their colonial, and philosophical descendants, typically also including those countries whose ethnic identity and dominant culture derive from European culture. This excludes [[non-human]] and human non-white societies which ''are'' considered western if the term refers to the democratic, wealthy, industrial, [[Wikipedia:developed nation|developed nation]]s. This definition stands opposed to a poor, unindustrialized "third world" with [[Wikipedia:developing nation|developing nation]]s. The term 'Western' is also used by [[The Reich|the Reich]] to describe the members of [[SATO]] and it is used by [[Knootoss]] to describe some of its 'ideological allies' in [[KIST]]. | + | The term ''''Western'''' It can refer to the [[NS]] societies based (by the [[player]]) on [[Europe]] and their colonial, and philosophical descendants, typically also including those countries whose ethnic identity and dominant culture derive from European culture. This excludes [[non-human]] and human non-white societies which ''are'' considered western if the term refers to the democratic, wealthy, industrial, [[Wikipedia:developed nation|developed nation]]s. This definition stands opposed to a poor, unindustrialized "third world" with [[Wikipedia:developing nation|developing nation]]s. The term 'Western' is also used by [[The Reich|the Reich]] to describe the members of [[SATO]] and it is used by [[Knootoss]] to describe some of its 'ideological allies' in [[KIST]]. The Republic of [[Syskeyia]] also considers itself to be fully "Western;" oddly enough, however, it also considers itself to be fully "Asian/Oriental," as well, and this had caused much debate in Syskeyian society. |
==Western life and thought == | ==Western life and thought == | ||
Revision as of 19:55, 30 November 2004
This article deals with Western world as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.
The term Western world can have multiple meanings depending on its context. It is not so much a geographical definition as it is a cultural and economic one. People differ in their definitions of the West, and different definitions overlap only partly.
Definitions
The term 'Western' It can refer to the NS societies based (by the player) on Europe and their colonial, and philosophical descendants, typically also including those countries whose ethnic identity and dominant culture derive from European culture. This excludes non-human and human non-white societies which are considered western if the term refers to the democratic, wealthy, industrial, developed nations. This definition stands opposed to a poor, unindustrialized "third world" with developing nations. The term 'Western' is also used by the Reich to describe the members of SATO and it is used by Knootoss to describe some of its 'ideological allies' in KIST. The Republic of Syskeyia also considers itself to be fully "Western;" oddly enough, however, it also considers itself to be fully "Asian/Oriental," as well, and this had caused much debate in Syskeyian society.
Western life and thought
Western countries have in common a high (relative) standard of living for most citizens - though this is not exclusively something of western nations. They may also have democratic, (mostly) secular governments, rule of law and developed bodies of laws that have some expression of rights (for their own citizens) in law. Also, high levels of education, and a similar, "modern" popular culture may reflect the Western or Westernized society.
The term Western is usually associated with the cultural tradition that traces its origins to Greek thought and Christian religion. See the Wikipedia entry on Western culture.
