"Eurocentrism (also Eurocentricity or Western-centrism) is a worldview that is centered on Western civilization or a biased view that favors it over non-Western civilizations."
Refers to the privileging of European culture, history, and values over those of other regions. Post-colonial studies often critique Eurocentric approaches to knowledge and power.
Colonialism: The historical process that involved European nations in the conquest, exploitation, and control of non-European nations and territories.
Eurocentrism: A worldview that centers Europe and the West as the primary source of knowledge, culture, and progress, and sees non-Western cultures as inferior.
Orientalism: The cultural and intellectual framework that shapes Western perceptions of non-Western cultures, emphasizing stereotypes, exoticism, and romanticization.
Postcolonialism: The study of the political, social, and cultural legacies of colonialism, and how they continue to shape power relations between the global North and South.
Decolonization: The process of political and social liberation from colonial rule, and the establishment of independent nation-states.
Globalization: The process of economic, political, and cultural integration that has accelerated since the end of the Cold War, leading to new forms of uneven development and inequality.
Neocolonialism: The continuation of colonialism through economic and cultural means, as foreign powers continue to control and exploit the resources and labor of weaker nations.
Structural adjustment: The economic policies that have been imposed on developing countries by international financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF, with negative consequences for social welfare and democracy.
Cultural imperialism: The dominance of Western popular culture, media, and consumerism over non-Western cultures, leading to a loss of cultural diversity and identity.
Subaltern studies: The intellectual movement that seeks to recover the voices and experiences of marginalized groups such as women, peasants, and indigenous peoples, and challenge dominant narratives of history and development.
Linguistic Eurocentrism: This form of Eurocentrism occurs when European languages are promoted over non-European languages as the standard for communication.
Cultural Eurocentrism: This form of Eurocentrism occurs when European cultural values, beliefs, and practices are considered superior to those of non-European cultures.
Historical Eurocentrism: This form of Eurocentrism occurs when European history is seen as the most important and valuable history, with other histories being overlooked or considered insignificant.
Geographical Eurocentrism: This form of Eurocentrism occurs when Europe is seen as the center of the world, with other regions considered peripheral or inferior.
Philosophical Eurocentrism: This form of Eurocentrism occurs when European philosophical ideas and systems are valued over those of non-European philosophers and cultures.
Scientific Eurocentrism: This form of Eurocentrism occurs when European scientific methods and knowledge are considered the most advanced and accurate, with other systems of knowledge disregarded or seen as primitive.
Economic Eurocentrism: This form of Eurocentrism occurs when European economic systems are considered the most advanced and desirable, with other economic systems being overlooked or undervalued.
"The exact scope of Eurocentrism varies from the entire Western world to just the continent of Europe or even more narrowly, to Western Europe (especially during the Cold War)."
"When the term is applied historically, it may be used in reference to an apologetic stance toward European colonialism and other forms of imperialism."
"The term 'Eurocentrism' dates back to the late 1970s but it did not become prevalent until the 1990s."
"When it was frequently applied in the context of decolonisation, development, and humanitarian aid that industrialised countries offered to developing countries."
"The term has since been used to critique Western narratives of progress, Western scholars who have downplayed and ignored non-Western contributions."
"The term has been used to contrast Western epistemologies with Indigenous ways of knowing."
"Eurocentrism is a worldview that is centered on Western civilization."
"Eurocentrism is a biased view that favors Western civilization over non-Western civilizations."
"Eurocentrism may be used in reference to an apologetic stance toward European colonialism."
"The scope of Eurocentrism can be narrowed down to Western Europe, especially during the Cold War."
"The term was frequently applied in the context of decolonisation, development, and humanitarian aid offered by industrialized countries to developing countries."
"The term 'Eurocentrism' did not become prevalent until the 1990s."
"Eurocentrism critiques Western narratives of progress."
"Western scholars who have downplayed and ignored non-Western contributions."
"Eurocentrism contrasts Western epistemologies with Indigenous ways of knowing."
"Western-centrism is a worldview that is centered on Western civilization or a biased view that favors it over non-Western civilizations."
"The exact scope of Eurocentrism varies from the entire Western world to just the continent of Europe or even more narrowly, to Western Europe."
"Eurocentrism may be used in reference to an apologetic stance toward European colonialism and other forms of imperialism."
"The term 'Eurocentrism' dates back to the late 1970s but it did not become prevalent until the 1990s due to its frequent application in the context of decolonisation and development."