[Stammer]

Is the Western World superior to non-Western nations, or is it simply just different?

[Machette]

That's a very vague question. Superior economically, so on and so forth.

[Stammer]

Originally Posted by Machette

That's a very vague question. Superior economically, so on and so forth.

Open-ended yes, vague no. Take categories like population disposition, poverty, education, literacy, government, military, technology, science, civil rights, human rights, social climate, integration, health care, life-span, GDP, average income, entrepreneurialism, etc. Extrapolate from that and decide whether or not the Western template is superior or not.

[imported_Fluffy_Bunny]

I presume this is a homework related question? happy: I'd say yes, if we weren't we wouldn't be calling the shots.

[c312]

Well considering the good things that result from having a high GDP and human rights, I'd have to say yes. Based on what we seem to think is important, the west is superior.

[Simo Häyhä]

in every way shape and form

[TGB!]

[quote="Simo Häyhä":f3222]in every way shape and form[/quote:f3222]

No question.

Western is a minomer anyway. South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Australia etc. are to the east of the UK, United States - and they have the same level of development as the "big two". If you want to compare industrialized developed nations, I would say the US does rank high up on the list, with a few disclaimers. Direct comparisons between the US and UK/Oceanic Countries isn't ideal, especially when it comes to Health Care and education - as this country has no concept of universal healthcare/free-post-education.

On every other level, Id say yes. Foreign countries are fun to visit, but live there - no thank you.

[ninty]

Superior is kind of a subjective term.

To everyone living in the Western world, i'm sure they would say our way of life is superior. And in many cases this is true Re: human rights, freedoms etc.

However, i'm sure that if you were to ask different tribes, more specifically, those who aren't "trying" to be like the west, they would say they are perfectly happy, and I may argue that these people may be superior to the west because they have no concept of a globalized interconnected society. They are simplicity at its finest, and really, what else do you need?

Does an economy or military make a nation superior? In this world it does, so in that context, and in the context of this question, yes.

But for localized economies that are self sufficient, I have quite an admiration for those people. I guess they really have no choice, but North America and Europe could disappear tomorrow and it wouldn't affect them one bit.

[Stammer]

Which brings me to the next part of this: Is saying Western Civilization superior make you a xenophobe?

[imported_Fluffy_Bunny]

Certainly not, it just means we are morally, culturally, mentally & physically superior to anyone east of Suez, except perhaps the Kiwis & Aussies. biggrin: