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Westernisation is a process whereby traditional, long-established societies come under the influence of
European or American culture in such matters as industry, technology, economics, lifestyle, food and moral and cultural values.
It is a pervasive and accelerating influence across the world in the last few centuries. Imperialism and colonialism over the
centuries culminated in the two World Wars of the 20th century, after which many
smaller states created by former colonial powers (mainly European) gained independence and adopted some aspects of Western
culture. After the break up of the USSR towards the end of the last century, many of its
component states underwent Westernisation, including privatisation of hitherto state-controlled industry.
Some people view westernisation as progress, others would qualify this judgement. For example, in the Cornell Times it was
said in 2001 that : "...long-term health benefits to Chinese and other Asian people who have traditionally existed on a
primarily plant-based diet might be lost as more people in Asia switch to a Western-style diet that is rich in animal-based
foods." [1]
Some people feel that traditional, effective medicine is undermined by Westernisation: "Africans are being lured away from
their own traditional medicine to Western systems and practices with their promise of high tech solutions, which they can neither
use nor afford. Rather than seeking to replace the practices of generations that are intrinsic to the culture and give people
their sense of self worth, scientific methods could be used to validate or improve African traditional medicine in a two way
exchange of knowledge and understanding."(British Journal of Medicine June 26 2004[2] )
A reaction to Westernisation can include fundamentalism and protectionism. However, this has not often stopped the tide of development. Such
countries as Japan and China tried to adopt isolationism , but they have been unable to resist the adoption of many aspects of
Western culture. Even traditionally non-Western cultures such as Islam are adapting to an increasing globalisation of culture.
See The Sixties, Konkani,
Music of Sudan, China project
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