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588. The Evolution of the West and Western Identity feat. Georgios Varouxakis

Oct 7, 2025
Georgios Varouxakis, a prominent Professor of Political Thought at Queen Mary University, dives deep into the evolving concept of 'the West.' He debunks myths about its origins and explains how it became a political idea in the 19th century. Varouxakis reflects on Western exclusion, the perception of Russia as a threat, and the roles of lesser-known figures in shaping Western identity. He argues for the West's openness and critiques its self-identity, emphasizing internal criticism as a strength while navigating the complexities of modern geopolitics and cultural alliances.
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INSIGHT

When The West Became A Political Idea

  • The modern political idea of 'the West' crystallized in the early 19th century, not in antiquity or only after the World Wars.
  • Thinkers like Auguste Comte and others reframed 'Western' to exclude Russia and include the Americas as a cultural unit.
INSIGHT

Why 'West' Replaced 'Europe' And Christendom

  • 'Europe' and 'Christendom' proved inadequate labels because they could include Russia or exclude the Americas.
  • Kant and followers promoted 'Occidental/Western' to mark a culturally distinct unit excluding Russia but including the Americas.
INSIGHT

Russia Spurred The East–West Distinction

  • Anxiety about Russia's size, modernization, and expansion drove Western thinkers to redefine boundaries as East vs West.
  • Russia's perceived threat made inclusion of buffer nations like Greece politically desirable.
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