Five dimensions of Western countries

Dimensions of Western Countries

In western nations, there are five specific characteristics which countries all possess: democratic values, Christianity, Enlightenment beliefs, a common European heritage, and advanced development. Each of these factors has led to the unique cultural identities of the west, nations such as England, the United States, and Canada. These characteristics are not visible in other parts of the world such as Russia and much of Eastern Europe where their development has only been minutely influenced by the values which are favored in the west. The differentiation between these two vastly different parts of the world is best understood through their opposing value systems.

Most countries of the west are based on principles of democracy. In conjunction with this idea of democracy are the principles of "tolerance, liberty, dissent, free speech, human rights, free elections, and popular sovereignty" (Cross 2012, 3.1). Russia and other eastern nations are still influenced by the former Soviet Union and the Communist political agenda of the government (Cross 2012, 3.5). Thus, their focus is not on individuality and singular freedom but reflective of the former regime wherein to speak against the government was akin to suicide and the only civil rights a person had were dependent on the whim of the government in a given region.

Although the west is a mixed bag of assorted religions and creeds, Christianity is the predominant religion in most of these nations. Because of this, the laws and morality of the land are based on the tenets of the religion. Christianity also exists in the eastern nations, but in a modified form than the direct understanding of the New Testament found in the west. Instead, countries like Russia are more spiritual and believe in an interpretive form of the Christian text (Cross 2012, 3.1). These populations have formed a new form of Christianity which accepts certain tenets and rejects others.

The period known as the Enlightenment had a much more profound on the western world than the east. Religious principles were given secondary consideration to individual accomplishment and the growing importance of scientific development and logical conclusions. This period led to the importance which was placed on the individual in western culture. Individualism is directly contradictory to the eastern emphasis on community and communal thinking, particularly during the time of Communism (Cross 2012, 3.1).

Nations of the west have embraced immigration, particularly in the United States, but still the majority of the population has a Western European heritage which has determined the majority culture. In the east, there is less immigration within to other eastern nations, but instead immigration into the west. Therefore, they have been less influenced by external cultures and are more like the former incarnations of the population (Cross 2012, 3.5).