The West

Refers roughly to Europe as well as the United States, Canada and Australia, nations that had their origins in Europe.

The United States

The present core of Western civilization in terms of science and culture.

England

The birthplace of the industrial revolution.

Europe

The geographical area where presently dominant Western civilization is located.

China

The home of a once great and perhaps future great civilization.

Western Civilization

The civilization described by Ferguson as presently dominant over all others.

Consumerism

An approach to economic life that sees the purchase of consumer goods as morally permitted and even encouraged. Consumerism is one of the West's killer apps.

The Work Ethic

An ideal where hard work is seen as an ethical requirement. Ferguson claims that this work ethic was rooted in Protestant Christianity and is one of the West's killer apps.

Modern Medicine

Another one of the West's killer...