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What is Western Cultural Identity? Three Examples, Three Disputes
Author(s) -
Storck Thomas
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
new blackfriars
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-2005
pISSN - 0028-4289
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-2005.2007.00176.x
Subject(s) - cultural identity , latin americans , identity (music) , western europe , focus (optics) , sociology , gender studies , political science , social science , law , aesthetics , philosophy , negotiation , physics , optics , european union , business , economic policy
The concept of cultural identity is illustrated by the example of Latin America. At the same time Latin America is shown to be a true part of the Western world and understandable only as such, and the reasons for other cultural identifications of Latin America are examined. Then the cultural development and identity of the West as a whole is considered, with special reference to two competing accounts of Western cultural development, both of which focus chiefly on the econonmic development of Europe and North America, in contrast to its cultural or spiritual roots. Finally the special case of the United States is looked at, and it is asked how her peculiar self‐understanding affects her cultural identity as part of the Western world.