Lääneriikide

Lääneriikide is a term that broadly refers to countries located in the Western world. This designation is often based on geographical, cultural, political, and economic factors, distinguishing them from Eastern or Southern countries. Historically, the concept of "the West" emerged during the Cold War, primarily differentiating the capitalist, democratic bloc led by the United States and Western Europe from the communist Eastern Bloc.

Geographically, lääneriikide are typically situated in Western Europe and North America, although the definition can be fluid and encompass countries with strong cultural and political ties to these core regions. Culturally, they often share a heritage rooted in Greco-Roman civilization, Christianity, the Renaissance, and the Enlightenment, which have influenced their art, philosophy, and social structures.

Politically, lääneriikide are generally characterized by democratic systems of government, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and civil liberties. Economically, they predominantly operate under market-based capitalist economies, often with high levels of industrialization and technological advancement. The term encompasses a diverse range of nations, each with its own unique history and societal characteristics, but united by a shared set of Western values and institutions.