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West - what, exactly, is it? (pg. 2)
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| Moral Hazard |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
We too killed our natives and had Africans brought here |
some things are universal.... kill those you can and drive the rest into the areas of the county you don't want to be bothered with. We put ours in the frozen north, you drove yours into the jungle, the Yankies/South Africans/Austrailians put theirs in the desert, etc. |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by Moral Hazard
Because you are not wealthy nations... really it all boils down to wealth and heritage when defining "the west" today. If you are a wealthy nation built upon Europian heritage and values then you are a part of "the west".
Do you want to be considered part of "the west". If so be my guest and invite the scorn and hatred of those despise "the west". Really, we don't mind if you are hated as well, there's plenty of distain to spread around. |
All I'm saying is that there's no such thing as "the west", reason why I showed your definition, for example, had that flaw. |
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| Moral Hazard |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
All I'm saying is that there's no such thing as "the west", reason why I showed your definition, for example, had that flaw. |
My understanding of the term is that it dates back to the late Roman period.... the eastern empire percieved itself as being economically disadvantaged compared to the western empire, moreover, they resented that the wealth generated in the east was sent to the west in the form of tax and/or tribute.... the term "the west" then became a lable for those of economic power. Following the end of the Roman Empire the term took on new meaning as it added Christian to it's economic description. Today the term essentially means the wealthy christian European (culturally) countries. Don't think of it as a geographical term but rather a historical term. |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by Moral Hazard
Today the term essentially means the wealthy christian European (culturally) countries. |
Then how come Japan and Israel were considered "West" by 10% of the voters? |
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| Moral Hazard |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
Then how come Japan and Israel were considered "West" by 10% of the voters? |
Because they, like most, don't know for sure. If we really want an answer we should be asking those who use the term most frequently (those of Persian or Arabic decent). |
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| zig |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
Why has South America got just one vote if we've been colonies as well? ;)
We too killed our natives and had Africans brought here and Asians wondering whether it would be nice to live here. So far, nothing different from the US, other than the economy |
Hold on a sec.....first of all you want Brazil in the EU...and now you want to be part of "our" west.......:D |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by zig
Hold on a sec.....first of all you want Brazil in the EU...and now you want to be part of "our" west.......:D |
Heck, I want us to conquer the world while Shadowolf is not looking :D |
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| zig |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
Heck, I want us to conquer the world while Shadowolf is not looking :D |
Thats allright so as long as its only the world.....id hate to see you deluding yourself.....;) |
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| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by zig
Thats allright so as long as its only the world.....id hate to see you deluding yourself.....;) |
Don't worry, I've got my feet on the ground, my head on the clouds and my hand on the mic :cool: |
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| DrUg_Tit0 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
Then how come Japan and Israel were considered "West" by 10% of the voters? |
Well, Israel is not christian, but its culture and religion has been a part of european identity ever since the times of the roman empire. Japan could be considered as a western country only because of its economy, democracy, and increased tendency towards western cultural values, but historically, if there's any country that would emody the essence of the far east, it would be Japan. |
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| Lebezniatnikov |
| quote: | Originally posted by Moral Hazard
Because they, like most, don't know for sure. If we really want an answer we should be asking those who use the term most frequently (those of Persian or Arabic decent). |
Wouldn't they just say "the Zionists"? After all, Islamic clerics have been known to claim America and Western European countries are completely run by Zionists. |
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| pkcRAISTLIN |
the term has nothing to do with geographical location.
it is a term used to group *advanced* liberal democracies. end of story. if the country a) has a govt voted in by the people b) has a belief in private ownership and c) is in a state of advanced industrialiastion/computerisation, then its a \"western\" nation. |
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