Westernization

Westernization (also spelled Westernisation), pronounced as /ˌwɛstərnɪˈzeɪʃən/, is a process whereby societies come under or adopt Western culture in areas such as industry, technology, law, politics, economics, lifestyle, diet, language, alphabet, religion, philosophy, and values. The term is derived from the word "Western", which has its roots in the Latin word "occidens", meaning "sunset, West", as it refers to the process of the sun setting in the West at the end of each day.

Westernization has been a pervasive and accelerating influence across the world in the last few centuries, with some thinkers assuming Westernization to be the equivalent of modernization, a way of thought that is often debated.

Etymology

The term "Westernization" is a derivative of "Western", which in turn originates from the Latin term "occidens", meaning "sunset, West". This term was used to describe the Western world, which was seen as the land where the sun sets. The suffix "-ization" is added to indicate the process or action, thus forming "Westernization", which refers to the process of adopting Western traits and characteristics.

Related Terms

Modernization: A process of societal transition from traditional or pre-modern societies to modern societies. It is often associated with industrialization and the development of science and technology.
Globalization: The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
Cultural assimilation: The process by which a person or a group's language and/or culture come to resemble those of another group.
Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
Cultural imperialism: The domination of one culture over another by a deliberate policy or by economic or technological superiority.