The evolution of the world has been accompanied by increased interaction of people, cultures and regions across the globe, in what has been labeled as the globalization process. Various developments have accompanied the globalization process, which has been widely acknowledged for catalyzing the diffusion of ideas across the global society. Whereas there has been no certain limits to the diffusion process, the influence of the western civilization still remains particularly dominant. Even intriguing has been the question of whether the western civilization comes with any benefits. On one hand, some have argued that the western civilization has been accompanied by undesirable consequences. On other hand, the proponents have been assertive that western civilization is particularly indispensable. This paper argues that whereas the diffusion of the western civilization associates with desirable results, overall it should be blamed for far-reaching consequence.
Western civilization, also referred to as the western culture , refers to the social norms, cultural heritage, customs, traditions, political organization, technologies and religious systems associated with European civilization. The start of the western civilization is thought to have been marked with developments in ancient Rome and Greece. It further proceeded to be shaped by Christianity during the Middle Age period. In the later stages, Western civilization was shaped by various developments such as education, humanism and scientific developments. Following the trend of globalization, the western civilization spread its effects far and wide (Bogart). In the contemporary world, the diffusion of western culture has been associated with various socio-cultural implications. Conspicuous have been the fears that the world’s rich cultures are being replaced by the western culture. These fears have been confirmed in various ways. For instance, the youth in some regions such as Africa and Middle East are dressing like the western pop stars seen on TV, talking and acting like in the western ways, following a diet routine such as those advocated on televisions propagating western cultural ideals. The Adolescent females are striving to lose weight and become beautiful as the TV pop stars, among other ways. In one way, it does not only reap the globe of its cultural heritage, but also destabilizes the social-cultural structures that had once enabled communities to coexist in harmony. Western civilization has eroded social structures, such as religion that addressed social deviancy, while delegating the roles to state institutions. For instance, there have arisen the concerns that cultural erosion is to blame for the worsening teenage behaviors. Pop culture, an element of western civilization, has been blamed for instigating moral deviance among the youthful generation in the areas of influence. For example, Hip Hop genre has earned a reputation of applying bold language and instigating immoral behavior through the use of sexist and violence references (Bogart).
The western civilization has compelled the globe to rethink the position of women in the society. It has been propagating changes in the position and role of women in the society under the banner of human rights and equality, as championed by women rights movement. It cannot be disputed that women rights movements, which correlate with western civilization, have had significant impacts on the current society. In the past, women did not vote, access education, and engage in politics. Rampant incidences of sexual violence directed at women were a common occurrence. Worse still, women were always the main victims of domestic violence. In general, women were looked down upon in all spheres of life. However, since the start of the of women’s rights movement, the situation has changed. Women rights movements have spread everywhere and its impacts have been enormous. One of the achievements of women’s right movement includes securing the opportunity to venture in politics. Women are now striving for opportunities, as men. Education has enabled them to exploit their potential by going beyond the traditional societal roles. Women can now make decisions about their lives as evidenced by the reproductive freedom. Women are now protected against various forms of gender discrimination, sexual violence and domestic violence. Women have been assuming various positions that were initially occupied by men. Social, economic and political empowerment of women has been considered as the greatest social change in the current world. However, whereas it may be celebrated that the western civilization has granted the women their rights, this achievement is overshadowed by the fact that the changes in the positions and roles of women has changed the outlook of social institution. For instance, families have now lost social functions by employing social workers, as well as state agencies to tackle issues.
Technological and scientific developments are also considered as a component of western civilization. The developments in computer technologies are the most widely celebrated. Indeed, everything is now possible with computer technologies; increased efficiency in handling workloads, automation, education, communication and entertainment among others. Although technologies have proved to be beneficial in various ways, it has been marred with uncertainties. For instance, although video games are some of the popular forms of entertainment, they are accompanied by the concerns that they promote aggression. The subject of the relationship between video games and media violence is founded upon three primary concerns. First, video games are increasingly programmed to comprise scenes of violence such as terrorism, robbery and traffic violation, so on. Secondly, computer games are not passive; the player has to be aggressive in order to win. Unlike passive participation, it is arguable that active participation significant impacts on the behaviors of those involved. Thirdly, most video games are programmed to reward instead of punish violence. Other technologies such as internet and other forms of mass media have been associated with undesirable consequences such as digital information overload and security.
Political impact of western civilization is also well documented. The factors associated with colonization are considered crucial in understanding the effect of western civilization on the globe, especially the countries that were colonized. For instance, it could be argued that the nature of political organization enjoyed by most African countries is a reflection of the impact of western civilization. The widely acknowledged impact of western civilization on the colonized societies included distortion of indigenous institutions, which had previously been custodians of cultural and political organization.
The political implications of western civilization can be best elucidated based on United States’ advocacies for political reforms and foreign policies, as driven by the doctrine of American exceptionalism. Indeed, the western civilization has been accompanied by increased involvement of America in the international affairs. United States has been characterized by the desire to dominate the world. Here, it has been cited that this is well depicted by its political, social and economic activities, including American diplomacy, industrial development, and the organization of military forces, as well as science and technology (Novikov). All these are aimed at ensuring the policy is implemented. In order to ensure that its plans are achieved, expansion plans have been put in place, including the creation of military bases in the foreign countries as well as proliferating new weapons. Indeed, in the contemporary world, as far as politics are concerned, United States has featured conspicuously in propagating the western civilization ideals to the rest of the world. United States has often insisted that it is committed to promoting democracy across the globe (Duck and Cover).
However, in the view of the critics, United States has often featured for wrong reason. For instance, in 2003, United States invaded Iraq in what became to be referred to as the Operation Iraq Freedom. The invasion, led by United States, entailed a combination of forces from Australia, Poland and United Kingdom. The operation saw the regime of Saddam Hussein toppled within three weeks of main combat, concluding with the capture of Baghdad. The invasion elicited sharp reactions from the entire globe; all directed at the extent that the invasions could be justified. As such, the world became divided on the manner in which the invasion was conducted. On one hand, the group against the operation was assertive that the invasion was not justified, adding that it was all attributable to self-vested and imperialist motive. It has been widely cited that the invasion was carried out without United Nations Security Council Authorization. United States has often maintained that there was authorization based on the Resolution 678 of the Security Council, implying compliance with the international law. What placed United States on the wrong side of international law is the fact that Resolution 678 of the Security Council does not issue stipulation on whether any member of United Nations could employ all the means as a way of upholding Resolution 660. This implies that the only way to justify an invasion is solely dependent upon the decision of United Nations Security Council.
The west has been increasingly using coercive diplomacy to influence other countries, an approach that has often been questioned. Coercive diplomacy can be understood as an approach that entails the use of pressure to influence the decision and behaviors of other states or non-state players. As such, coercive diplomacy can also be perceived as a diplomatic strategy that is reliant on the threats in the use of force to influence the behaviors and actions of targeted groups or parties. However, this diplomatic approach has often raised questions about its efficacy and appropriate applicability. Forms of coercive diplomacy strategy include imposition of economic sanctions, travel bans and suspension of membership from leagues and imposition of financial freezes, among other ways. The coercive diplomacy approaches have been widely criticized for various reasons. The criticisms are triggered by the consequences that the sanctions have on the targeted parties. For instance, economic sanctions have often been associated with high rates of malnutrition, diseases and limited medical supplies. Agricultural productivity has also been known to decrease drastically during the sanction period, incapacitating food security in the targeted areas (Taft 550).
In conclusion, the western civilization may be acknowledged for various positive attributes, but which are overshadowed by the associated negative implications. In the contemporary world, the diffusion of western culture has been associated with various socio-cultural implications, especially cultural erosion. Western civilization has also changed the role of women, according them the rights that they previously did not enjoy. Western civilization has been associated with imperialism. As far as politics is concerned, United States has featured conspicuously in propagating the western civilization ideals to the rest of the world. United States has often insisted that it is committed to promoting democracy across the globe. However, in the view of the critics, United States has often featured for wrong reason. Indeed, US have presented itself as a nation concerned about pursuing self-vested interests. This make western civilization undesirable for some.
Work Cited
Bogart, Humphrey. "I'm no communist" Photoplay Magazine, March 1948. Web. October 26, 2012.
“Duck and Covers"
Novikov, N. Soviet Ambassador to the US, Telegram to the Soviet Leadership, 1946. Print.
Taft, Buchuald, “Implications of the Iraq Conflict”, American Journal of International Law, 97
(2003): 554-563. Print.
