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.

No. 15 (2001): Americanization, Westernization, Sinification, Modernization or Globalization of China?

Abstract: The author argues that globalization has been an objective reality and inevitable tendency of human development from which no one can escape. So long as a country opens to the outside world, it will be in the process of globalization. China is no exception in this global age. Globalization is initiated and dominated by the US-led Western developed countries. How-ever, no country, including the US, is able to manipulate completely the process of globaliza-tion on which developing countries, including China, have been exerting more and more in-fluence. Globalization is a sword with negative and positive sides for both developed and de-veloping countries. Both of them can either benefit from or get lost in globalization. Global-ization changes modern world civilizations into a cosmopolity, no matter whether it origi-nated in the East or the West. Therefore, to learn from the West never means “Westerniza-tion” while to learn from the East never means “Easternization” exclusively, and China’s par-ticipation in WTO and introduction of market economy never means “Westernizing or Americanizing China” exclusively. Internationalization, nationalization and localization sup-plement each other. China has to participate actively in globalization if she wants to preserve her own unique civilization; just as China has to carry her national advantages forward if she wants to participate in globalization effectively. Globalization in an authentic sense is by no means an absolute “Westernization” or “Americanization”. It will prove a lack of foresight to argue that China would be “Westernized” or “Americanized” once it participates in the proc-ess of globalization.

The Heavenly Way Transmits the Light: The Yiguandao and Contemporary Society

Abstract: Song Guangyu was among the first Chinese scholars to study Chinese redemptive societies from a cultural and religious perspective. As part of his research, he joined the Yiguandao and carried out fieldwork, providing insights into beliefs and rituals largely inaccessible to nonmembers. He ultimately came to defend the Yiguandao and other redemptive societies as having defended traditional Chinese culture against the aggressive campaigns of westernization which have marked much of Chinese politics during the twentieth century. In the excerpts from his book The Heavenly Way Transmits the Light, Song reflects on the origin of his scholarly quest and provides an overview of his neotraditional reinterpretation of modern Chinese culture.

Great Leaps Forward: Modernizers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Definitions The West Invents Modernity Was there an Industrial Revolution? The Industrial Revolution and Western Power Shock and Awe in the Periphery The Premodern World From Premodern to Modern Coming to Grips with the West Catching the West: Precocious Egypt Catching the West: Meiji Japan The Periphery Fights Back Modernization in the Colonies The Structure of this Book 1. Porfirio Diaz: Importing Modernity Spain's Jewel in the Crown Rich Colony Struggling Republic Years of Chaos La Reforma and the French Invasion The Rise of Porfirio Diaz Diaz in Power Modernizing Mexico The Diaz System Premodern Mexico Railroads: Touchstones of Modernity The American Connection Exports versus Indians Indians and Immigrants Industrializing Mexico The New Economy Breeds Unrest Educating the Masses Toward the Revolution Sources Porfirio Diaz, Memorias Mexicothrough American Eyes A Cientifico Analyzes the Porfiriato Diaz Campaign Image 2. Menelik II: Africa's Modernizing Lion An Ancient People An Ambitious King Appropriating European Power Italy's Empire in Africa Fortifying Shoa Menelik Becomes Emperor Imperial Rivalries The Battle of Adowa Suddenly "Civilized" Repercussions of Adowa Forging a Centralized State Economic Change Menelik's Concessions Conclusion Sources Menelik Writes to the King of Italy Ethiopia from a British Diplomat's Perspective Ethiopia's Economy through American Eyes Ethiopian Railroad Stock Certificate 3. Sun Yatsen: Revolutionary Outsider The World's Greatest Premodern State Barbarians at the Gate Self-Strengthening to Save the Empire Sun Yatsen and the Overseas Chinese From Medicine to Politics From Reformer to Revolutionary Revolution from Afar The Boxers Blueprint for a New China A Decade of Change Creating the Republic Developing China A Second Revolution Unlikely Anti-Imperialist Redefining the Three Principles Conclusion Sources Sun Yatsen Pleads for Reform, 1894 Sun Yatsen Issues the Republican Manifesto, 1912 Sun Yatsen Explains the Principle of Livelihood,1912 A Picture of Rural Life In China 4. Mustafa Kemal: Muslim Modernity Europe's "Other" Early Efforts at Reform Reforming a Multicultural Empire The Rise of Mustafa Kemal The Young Turks Mustafa Kemal, War Hero From Empire to Republic A Revolutionary Republic The First Wave The New Woman Modernizing the Mind Reforming the Language "Turkification" or Westernization? Failed Opposition Modernizing the Economy Legacy of Reform Sources Mustafa Kemal's Great Speech The Idea of the Republic Abolishing the Sultanate Suppressing the Republic's Enemies Early Reforms EPILOGUE: MAKING CONNECTIONS THE ROADS TO MODERNITY Centralization Infrastructure and Industry Secularization National Identity Democracy Social Engineering Modernization and the Cold War Modernization or Westernization? BIBLIOGRAPHY

Creating Havens of Westernization in Nigerian Higher Education

Abstract: From 1999 to 2012 Nigeria experienced an upsurge in the establishment of private universities. In 1999, 39 years since independence, there were only 3 accredited private universities; by 2012 Nigeria’s University Commission listed 50 private universities as accredited or provisionally accredited. What was the catalyst for this surge? Was it an increased demand for access to higher education? It is not inconsequential that the majority of these private universities are Christian based, as these are not new to Anglophone West Africa. With a western K-12 education system founded largely by missionary societies, it might seem surprising that higher education has experienced a comparatively secular existence in this region. The timing ensured Anglophone West Africa of a predominately secular university system. In 1948 the first fully accredited western universities, the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and the College of the Gold Coast in Legon, Ghana, were established in Anglophone West Africa. Because the colonial government by this time was well established and with sufficient resources for the task, there was no reason to contract higher education to religious institutions. From the beginning higher education institutions were overseen by the British government through the Inter-Universities Council for British colonies and the University of London. This chapter provides insights into why and when these private universities developed. It also raises these questions: Is Nigeria unique in its proliferation of Christian based universities? What roles do Christian based universities play in Nigeria or in West Africa? Is it one of maintaining and strengthening Christian religion or do they also act as havens for the promotion of neo-colonial Westernization?