what characterizes the western world?
86243
I think the main thing that characterizes the western world in comparison to the eastern is the idea of the sanctity of the individual.  Possibly because of Christianity, or possibly for more esoteric reasons, individualism has been more important that collectivism throughout western history.  Freedom is more important that tradition and structure.  These are basic judeo-christian values which spring from a belief in free will and the responsibility of the individual to live up to a moral standard that started with the Ten Commandments.  Coupled with curiosity, imagination, ambition and even greed, it has created much of what we consider to be western culture.
496972
Eastern, The prime meridian travel through western Europe.
272031
i think it west... \npeace out:)
309447
Respect, intelligence, money, prowess, power, lives, creativity, awareness, focus, honor and reason. How's that?
466734
Most western countries ( Europe and the Americas) are basically Christian oriented.\nChristianity teaches that Jesus died for the sins of Mankind.\nThis belief alone gives license to the believer to sin.\nPornography is promotes by all western countries.\nLook at the  way women who go to church dress, they way they speak and preach in church.\nGays and lesbians demand rights because they believe that they are right.\nThis is all about sexual behavior.\nThis is not the case in other civilizations and religions.\nBut of course , who is to tell the Christian nations that they are wrong.\nEven if it were possible for Jesus to come back and try to reform modern day " Christians" they would seek to crucify him again.\nGod Bless you all.
44249
The term 'the West' is relative to human history, NOT an actual marker, such as the Prime Meridian or the hemispheres.  The meaning has changed from time to time, but the term 'West' today can be most closes traced back to maps of the Old World, on which the American continents did not exists and most of what we would consider our common European ancestry (England, Spain, etc) would have been on the 'western' edge of the map.  The term stuck as these powers expanded due to the simularities in languge and culture between the powers and their colonies (AKA the United States).  During the Cold War, the term 'the West' took on new meaning to mean those countries literally on the West side of the Iron Curtain (again America, Western Europe) and those on the East (Russia, China).  Today, the 'Western world' consists of all countries whose institutions, technology, material comfort, market systems, common western European ancestry and overall customs, dress and tastes are sufficiently simular to be grouped together (often called 'Western civilization').
92228
east and west where? USA?
183739
http://www.usacurl.org/basics/U.S.%20clubs/west.html
316485
The west rejects/condemns *anything* that isn't capitalism (though I spell it CRAPitalism) because God-forbid Americans get a clue that other forms of government are not evil *in and of themselves*...  \n\nor that they get a clue that capitalism = form of slavery.
908830
I understand your question, but, unfortunately the answer isn't an easy one.  Apparently you disagree with the type cast or stereotype.  But, look around the world.  That is the choice that their culture has made.  SInce the early seventies I have spent several months in the middle east nations for a variety of reasons.  And yes, I have met some very wonderful people.  However, throughout that part of the world there is a constant undercurrent of hatred for the west... the devil... the evil of democratic western countries and that list is topped by the U.S.  Which leaves us in a precarious position as a society.  We don't understand why they hate us, but they do.  So it is natural as culture to hate back.  So goes the viscious cycle.
869056
Islam is the only potent force, based on general Western assumptions, that poses a challenge to the whole Idea and existence of present Western Civilisation. It has been one in the past and continues to be so in the future. It is traditionally perceived as the complete antithesis to anything that the West believes and aspires the world to be.\nIt was the only major religion that existed at a State level that challenged Trinity, Christianity and the whole of Christendom of the past. \nIt was the only religion that formed the basis of an Empire that posed a potential threat to the Middle Age christian Kingdoms, Byzantium and the holy Roman Empire. \nIt was the only religion that set foot on Western Europe in Spain for 700 years and revived Classical knowledge of ancient Roman and Greece only to be ousted vehemently later.\nIt continued to be a threat to the very idea of the Enlightenment, the basis of modern Western ideals on secularism and humanism.\nIt was the only thing that continues to challenge the real estate claim to Jerusalem as a holy place.\nIt shares the history of Adam, Abraham and the Israelite prophets but presented it in a different perspective.\nAfter the downfall of Communism, the West must continue to weed out anything that comes in its way. The biggest is Islam.\n\nThe West today dominates the present world and the world sees itself through Western perspectives. \nIt is not a mere coincidence, therefore that such gross misunderstanding is able to take place.
645178
Globalization of world societies & economies.
305769
The book is generally considered to be the dawn of the modern Western literature.\n\nWhile eastern civilizations (notably Chinese and Persian) had written records and stories, Odyssey recorded a legend and a fable at a time when not much was recorded and written down other than official state histories.\n\nMoreover, the clever use of wit, hyperbole and structure made the work of Homer a truly visionary piece of art.
298266
I guess anywhere in the Western world would do for me. \nAny of those places gives you the chance to be born into poverty and ignorance, but at least there is a functioning rule of law, there are basic human rights that are extended to females as well and there is a chance that I could make it with effort and luck to a nice middle-class life. \nWhile there are places in the rest of the world that would qualify on the very same grounds as well, I have to admit that as a Westerner I am too ignorant to really know about them.
156233
I would recommend the excellent book The World's Banker : A Story of Failed States, Financial Crises, and the Wealth and Poverty of Nations.  Or Guns, Germs and Steel, by Jared Diamond.  Or perhaps "The open veins of Latin America", by Eduard Galeano.\n\nThe arguments are very complex and the analysis of history and culture very interesting, but I will boil it down and make it very simple.\n\nSuccessfull cultures in today's world are almost entirely based on the values of a particular culture (yes there are other factors, but bear with me).  Countries that approach economics from an exploitationist perspective (see Spain in the 16th century in the new world) or many countries today where a few people control the mineral and resource wealth of a country fail repeatedly until eventually the values of the people change.  \n\nCountries that have promoted mercantilism, trade and commerce generally prosper, because in order to create a climate in which commerce can flourish, soceity has to value the traits that are conducive to commerce (transparency, rule of law, meritocracy, etc).  A smart businessman hires the best people he can to do the job, not necessarily his family members (as is the norm in some countries).  \n\nSo, how is it that countries that have relatively few natural resources are rich and powerful (Great Britain, Japan for instance)?  They are mercantilists to one extent or another.  Look at the Netherlands. Almost no natural resources, and only 14 million people.  However, they own many major businesses that operate in the US and have influence out of proportion to their size.  Why?  they figured it out early and got with the program.
747887
I agree. Their approach is more of a secular humanist approach to life. This is why they are more civilized, less greedy, protect human rights and the environment, and are generally more progressive and less profit oriented. They don't believe they are morally superior and don't feel the need to go and spread "democracy" like the US does.\nI am speaking about Western Europe.
635214
East of Ireland\nSouthWest of Iceland\nExtreme-Western Europe.