Brief description of what we mean when we say 'Western Civilization'

1. Western Civilization
What do we mean?

2. Culture
 Free and participatory political institutions
 Capitalist economies
 Religious toleration
 Rational inquiry
 Innovative spirit

3. Geography
 Began around Mediterranean Sea, spent
centuries in Europe, migrated all over the
earth

4. But… Controversy
 West has had freedom and slavery
 Women have historically enjoyed fewer rights
and opportunities than men
 Some enjoy vast wealth; others grinding
poverty

5. Paradox
 Western Civilization began in what is now
Iraq
 Today Japan, in the “Far East,” seems
Western
 In the Cold War years, Turkey was Western
while Libya, far to the west of Turkey, was
Eastern