Difference between revisions of "Western alliance"
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| − | The '''West''', in economic terms, includes the [[United States]], the industrialized nations of [[Europe]], modern [[Japan]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. Although Japan is in the [[Far East]], it modeled itself after Europe in the late 19th cnetury during the [[Meiji Restoration]].<ref> After World War II, the United States gave Japan additional assistance in modernizing its business practices; see [[W. Edwards Deming]].</ref> The former British colonies of [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]] are westernized nations. | + | The '''West''', in economic terms, includes the [[United States]], the industrialized nations of [[Europe]], modern [[Japan]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. Although Japan is in the [[Far East]], it modeled itself after Europe in the late 19th cnetury during the [[Meiji Restoration]].<ref> After World War II, the United States gave Japan additional assistance in modernizing its business practices; see [[W. Edwards Deming]].</ref> The former British colonies of [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]] are westernized nations. Western culture includes concepts such as [[accountability]], [[democracy]], [[freedom]], [[personal responsibility]], and a free market ([[capitalist]]) economic system. Coincidentally, "The West", although a never clearly defined terms, mostly, if not entirely, comprises the countries with the highest standards of living and best governance in the world. Most, though all countries considered in "The West" are also [[Christian]]. |
Militarily, the West consists of the United States, its allies and its friends. | Militarily, the West consists of the United States, its allies and its friends. | ||
Revision as of 21:32, October 14, 2010
The West, in economic terms, includes the United States, the industrialized nations of Europe, modern Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Although Japan is in the Far East, it modeled itself after Europe in the late 19th cnetury during the Meiji Restoration.[1] The former British colonies of Australia and New Zealand are westernized nations. Western culture includes concepts such as accountability, democracy, freedom, personal responsibility, and a free market (capitalist) economic system. Coincidentally, "The West", although a never clearly defined terms, mostly, if not entirely, comprises the countries with the highest standards of living and best governance in the world. Most, though all countries considered in "The West" are also Christian.
Militarily, the West consists of the United States, its allies and its friends.
South Korea is strongly allied with the United States, both politically and economically.
In the Cold War (1947-91), the West opposed the Soviet Union and its satellites, as well as Communist China. The main military alliance in the West was--and still is--NATO, formed in 1949.
Further reading
- Gress, David. From Plato to NATO: The Idea of the West and Its Opponents (1996) excerpt and text search
- Rosenberg, Nathan, and L.E. Birdzell Jr. How The West Grew Rich: The Economic Transformation of the Industrial World (1987) excerpt and text search
- ↑ After World War II, the United States gave Japan additional assistance in modernizing its business practices; see W. Edwards Deming.