[imnaone]

Which countries are they, and what are the criterias?
Obviously geography doesn't matter.

Also, why only New world English speaking countries are considered Western?

[LasTins]

Western is a cold war thing. Basically:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World



I don't think anyone used the term "western" before Americans.

[GaryBulguihb]

I don't use the them, but I think of it as something cultural..

It's a reality that Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and to some extent, Brazil, have Western cultures..

BUT it is actually a cold war term, so I don't know..

[Coollabioto]

Normally in (western) Media when they say 'western' they mean non- exotic, familiar. Which basicaly means- not Chinese, African or Indian. Some countries would be 'borderline' or many countries.

It would be interesting to see how the term 'western' is seen by ultimate non-westerners, for instance Japanese or Chinese.

Another function is connected to wealth, GDP and all that.

Also pensioners still use Cold War division, its gonna be around for some time too indeed.

And obviously the last but not least- the tool to build up self esteem 'I am more western than you' or ' I am western and you are not' etc

[markbila]

that was quick, already bannito

[AromeWahmaron]

all of Europe,all of the American cointinent where is of European descend or predominally(that would exlude jamaica,haiti or Bolivia) and Australia

to be western:

_predominally European ancestry

_culturally European

_Roman cathlic/Protestant

[DavidShreder]

all of Europe,all of the American cointinent where is of European descend or predominally(that would exlude jamaica,haiti or Bolivia) and Australia

to be western:

_predominally European ancestry

_culturally European

_Roman cathlic/Protestant

USA is not European culture
Oh and half the population is not even from European ancestry

[alanamosteller]

USA is not European culture
Oh and half the population is not even from European ancestry

I think you quite exagerated?
30 million Latinos (which indirectly are often nearly Europeans)
30 million Africans
10 milion Asians
230 million?

[STYWOMBORGOSY]

I think you quite exagerated?
30 million Latinos (which indirectly are often nearly Europeans)
30 million Africans
10 milion Asians
230 million?

So??? Then why can't south America be western too ???
They have Europeans
Asians
Africans ???
Stop contracting yourself

[DioraMoostebeers]

I did not say they cant (Latinos). For me south America is a border case, at least partialy western.

[QXCharles]

EU, the USA, Australia, NZ and Canada.
I think the correct definition now is developed countries, developing countries, underdeveloped countries.

So??? Then why can't south America be western too ???
They have Europeans
Asians
Africans ???
Stop contracting yourself

No, outside the ethnic component, because the policies, western countries are economical liberal. South American countries could had became part of the west if they had followed the Washington Consensus.
Imao latinamerica will pas to the Chines sphere of power.

If Brazil is the most western country in LATAM, good or bad this is not western:


---------- Post added 2012-05-02 at 03:21 ----------

I don't think anyone used the term "western" before Americans.

I have read several books talking about west and east in the past, but now i am thinking if those definitions were used actually in the past or are neologism used by the historians to refer to past events.
i.e.: in the battle of The Battle of Actium Rome is referred in the books as west and Egypt as east,

[mbaueee]

arabs call Northwest African AL-Maghreb which means "the west" and the Middle East as AL-Sharq which means "the east" so i guess Europe was considered "the west" by Middle Easterns too since Europe is at the west of the Middle East as the Maghreb is.

[PickEmUp]

If Brazil is the most western country in LATAM

Since when is Brazil the most western country in LatAm?!

[DrJonson]

USA is not European culture
Oh and half the population is not even from European ancestry

It is.

Albeit, its a hybrid culture, but still predominately European

America's form of government, Came from Europeans.

The large majority of America's holidays and practices, be it Christmas, Easter or Halloween, Came from Europeans.

America's sports, Came from Europeans even though America mutated them a bit.

America's cuisine, Predominantly of German, English, & Italian origin. With probably only Americanized chinese & mexican food being the only top non European contributors to America's cuisine.

We could go on and on. You get the picture.

[Avoireeideree]

Since when is Brazil the most western country in LatAm?!

I think they are the most powerful.

---------- Post added 2012-05-02 at 04:21 ----------

America's sports, Came from Europeans ven though America mutated them a bit.

Baseball is Rounders with steroids.

[IntinyBut]

Western is a cold war thing. Basically:

I don't think anyone used the term "western" before Americans.

Nah, you got 2 things mixed up. "Western World" in the english language is what in spanish (and portugese I guess) is known as 'Occidental' i.e. the opposite of 'Oriental'. Nothing to do with rich or poor, or political blocks. It's cultural.

Occidental (The Western World) is basically the Christian nations of the world; countries predominantly characterized by European culture:



http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occidente

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occidental --> lets you go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_culture

[occurrini]

It is.

Albeit, its a hybrid culture, but still predominately European

America's form of government, Came from Europeans.

The large majority of America's holidays and practices, be it Christmas, Easter or Halloween, Came from Europeans.

America's sports, Came from Europeans even though America mutated them a bit.

America's cuisine, Predominantly of German, English, & Italian origin. With probably only Americanized chinese & mexican food being the only top non European contributors to America's cuisine.

We could go on and on. You get the picture.

even Mexican cusine is predominally of Spanish origin...

or do u think the Mayas or Aztecs cooked it?



the way they cook is very Spanish they just add some exotic ingredients

[nicktender]

I think they are the most powerful.

Oh yeah sorry I forgot! Powerful = Western! I beg your pardon..

[TheBest-Host]

Also, why only New world English speaking countries are considered Western?

I've never heard anyone until now say such a thing.

---------- Post added 2012-05-02 at 05:22 ----------

USA is not European culture
Oh and half the population is not even from European ancestry

The dominant culture of the US is Western European. North Western European, to be more specific.

[Diondra]

Western is a cold war thing. Basically:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_World



I don't think anyone used the term "western" before Americans.

Lol! Mexico and the rest ot Lat Am isnt considered western?....



Didnt know the amerindian cultures build with that kind of architecture^^^^^^ Just in case you dont know Spanish the official language of Mexico and many other countries is Western....

Mexico City was the most important city in the new world for more than 100 years and now some duche bags consider Mexico isnt western?....what an ignortan ass..............

Alex this isnt directed to you, you didt do that map.