Westernization

About: Westernization is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1154 publications have been published within this topic receiving 15791 citations. The topic is also known as: occidentalization.

Mehmet Âkif Ersoy'un Safahat Adlı Eserinde Batı Medeniyetini Olumlayıcı Yaklaşımlar

Abstract: Mehmet Âkif Ersoy addressed the Western civilization and Western fact with care in his literary work “Safahat” comprising seven books; He pointed out the importance and necessity of Westernization in the social and political environments where “Westernization” and “civilization” concepts of 19th Century are considered to be included in the equivalence principle. According to Akif, Westernization is an important development that should be realized on a national ground by taking cultural, traditional and historical features of Turkish society into consideration. In this article, the affirmative approach of the author to Western civilization will be analyzed by taking his literary work Safahat as the center of the issue

The Threat of Western Universalism

Abstract: This article examines the concept of world unity from the time of enlightenment to the present age. It asserts that the enlightenment conception is responsible for the perversion of human nature since it elevates human reason over human emotion which has resulted into a narrow understanding of the world and the belief that science could guarantee peace. The paper debates the concepts of space and place in relation to westernization as a form of universalism. It shows how universalism is linked to space with no respect for diverse cultures according to geographical origins as the case is for localism which is rooted in place. It analyses the United States’ pursuit for market unity, a strategy which is propagated but with the ill intentions of maintaining her international superiority. The market unity project is indeed, an enemy of democracy and a threat to not only cultural diversity, but also to all life on earth. In this paper I therefore suggest that, contrary to the critics, difference and the horizontal structure of the Occupy Wall Street movement is advantageous. The fact that people are organizing in protests in spite of their diverse cultures is, of course, an act of solidarity and unity. By this they demonstrate their belief that a better world is possible and that valuing cultural diversity and difference is a prerequisite for coexistence and peace. Therefore, the main focus of this paper is to defend difference and diversity against world unity or totality or sameness.

Unintended Consequences: The Impact of Factor Endowments, Culture, and Politics on Long-Run Economic Performance

Abstract: In this book, based on the 1995 Ohlin Lectures, Deepak Lal provides an accessible, interdisciplinary account of the role of culture in shaping economic performance Topics addressed include a possible future "clash of civilizations," the role of Asian values in the East Asian economic miracle, the cultural versus economic causes of social decay in the West, and whether modernization leads to Westernization Lal makes an important distinction between material and cosmological beliefs, showing how both were initially shaped by factor endowments and how they have evolved in response to changing historical pressures in different civilizations

Rejection of the Westernization Model of Eating Disorders

Abstract: Current theory in clinical psychology holds that eating disorders (EDs) arise from theWestern ideal of bodily thinness (Keith, 2011, p. 214). If this is true, the growing prevalence ofEDs in non-Western countries likely follows from the expansion of Westernization and theWestern thinness ideal. However, if incorrect, this theory might adversely influence thediagnosis and treatment of non-Western patients with EDs who seek treatment from Westerndoctors. If culture influences the perception or definition of “normal” eating patterns, Westernphysicians might overlook culture-specific symptoms of non-Western patients. Indeed, much ofthe cross-cultural research on this subject compares populations based on only a few diagnostictests for ED symptoms, or studies Western populations from a Western viewpoint. The currentliterature evaluates past research on the validity of the Westernization model for EDs, as well asthe influence of this framework on testing measures.

The Spread of Timepieces in the Meiji Period

Abstract: After the opening of Japanese ports in the late Edo period, trade with Europe and America expanded. Timepieces entered the country along with other items. Over the course of the Meiji era, timepieces became the first Western consumer durable to take root in the daily life of ordinary Japanese. This point can be substantiated, as I will show in this paper, by the increase in the rate of diffusion of timepieces. Broadly speaking, the spread of timepieces was without a doubt a part of the process of Westernization referred to in Japan as "civilization and enlightenment." Specifically, this meant that the use of modern Western technology became increasingly dominant within Japanese society, and goods produced using this technology grew in number. It cannot be said, however, that this process of Westernization was equally evident through out the society. A close look at this process reveals differences in the level and speed with which Western technologies and goods based on Western technology penetrated into Japanese society?differences which arose due to the technology itself as well as the nature of the products. The newly introduced systems rendered the old ones obsolete in areas subject to gov ernment spending, such as transportation and communications systems (e.g., railroads, shipping, and telephone and telegraph) and Western military infrastructure (including cannons and warships). Investments by companies in the new mining industry, too, brought about radical changes in production methods thanks to their use of imported machinery. Traditional economic history, however, has always emphasized this kind of dramatic change in investment goods, creating a mistaken impression that this type of Europeanization occurred at all levels of Japanese society. The situation with consumer goods was different. In terms of everyday life for the people?food, clothing, and shelter?Westernization proceeded at a much slower pace. Japanese material culture, which had matured through development of original technolo gies intimately tied to the climate and geography of Japan during the Edo period under the policy of national isolation, continued strong in daily life despite the changes brought by opening the borders, the Meiji Restoration, and finally the Industrial Revolution.1 At least through the Meiji and Taisho Periods, Japanese food, Japanese attire, and Japanese houses were the basis for everyday life, which meant that the prepon derance of household spending habits remained unchanged from the Edo period, and