Westernised

Westernised is an adjective or past participle derived from Westernise (British English) or Westernize (American English). It denotes influence by Western culture, values, institutions, or practices, or the adoption of Western-style elements by a person, organization, city, or country. The term is often used descriptively rather than prescriptively.

In social and political contexts, Westernised features can include secular education, liberal democracy, rule of law, market-oriented economies, English-language education, media practices, dress, and consumer norms. The degree of adoption ranges from partial to comprehensive and can vary across domains within a single society.

Historically, Westernisation spread through colonial expansion, missionary activity, and later globalization and international institutions. In the 19th and early 20th centuries it accompanied modernization programs; after World War II, Western models of governance and industry influenced many states, sometimes in combination with local reforms.

Westernisation is debated. Supporters link it to development, human rights, and technological progress, while critics argue it erodes local cultures, languages, or identities, and can resemble cultural imperialism. Variants and reactions range from indigenisation to selective adaptation or resistance.

Related concepts include modernization, occidentalism, and globalization; some scholars distinguish between Westernisation as adopting Western norms and globalization as transnational flows. The term's evaluative connotation depends on context, perspective, and degree of adoption.