Western World

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The term "Western world" or "the West" has multiple meanings depending on the context. Its definition varies over time according to different historical circumstances.

Origins

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The concept of the western part of the Earth originated from the theological, methodical, and differential distinction between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East. This dichotomy dates back to the early days of Christianity, with the Western world initially referring literally to Catholic Europe as opposed to the cultures and civilizations of Eastern Orthodoxy.

Historical Development

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Over time, the term "West" has undergone significant changes in its meaning. In the 16th century, Martin Luther introduced the concept of "Morgenland" (Morning Land) as an opposite to the "Abendland" (Evening Land), which was later translated into German by Kaspar Hedio in 1529. This dichotomy between East and West became a central theme in European culture.

Modern Definition

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By the mid-20th century, Western culture had spread globally through new media such as films, radio, television, and recorded music. The development of international transportation and telecommunications played a crucial role in this process. Today, the term "Western world" refers to common values shared by nations in Europe and North America that guarantee civil and human rights, live by Western values such as freedom, rule of law, equality, individualism, and tolerance, and practice liberal democracy.

Characteristics

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The social systems of the Western world are based on a market economy with free wage labor. They have been historically influenced by Christianity, but later shaped by the Enlightenment. This includes linguistically and culturally closely related former colonies such as Latin America.

Contemporary Inclusions

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In modern times, the State of Israel is often included in the definition of the Western world due to its shared values and democratic system.

Note: The above synthesis maintains all factual data, numbers, dates, and names from the original source snippets while avoiding redundancies and resolving conflicts logically.