With growing globalisation, the simultaneous growth of Westernisation prompts a need for discussion on its influences – whether that’s in values, clothing, culture, and general way of life, there is no doubt that the West, from a certain angle, seems to somehow shape and control our lives.

Westernisation encompasses the growth and spread of Western norms and values to the rest of the globe, in which non-Western countries adapt to embrace the very traits which, in some cases, dilute the essential culturally diverse aspect of society. By means of improved technology and communications, the interconnectedness of the globe has become achievable and more developed than ever before, enabling the West to extend its influence across seas and countries, demonstrating the impacts of subtle forms of imperialism on a larger scale in a (controversially) post-colonialist world.

One of the most prominent examples of the degree of power the West holds is the ubiquity of Western culture and consumerism – many Western brands appear now in third-world and developing countries where non-Western communities contribute to the consumption of Western brands and possibly feed into the very Western ideology of capitalism. Furthermore, Western apparel and fashion trends have become the norm in countries so embedded in culture, seeing how tradition begins to infuse with foreign ideology and possibly get lost in the sea of Westernisation.

On a lighter note, the topic of Westernisation remains a multifaceted topic in which it cannot be solely defined as inherently negatively impacting – technological and medical advancements as well as human rights principles stemming from the West have been able to transform the lives of many across the globe, evident through increased educational opportunities, improved healthcare systems and generally advanced living standards.

More importantly, we should note that the influence of the West is not imposed on societies, rather it is embraced and adapted alongside fundamental deep-rooted traditions and culture in certain countries. While we own the right to choose and navigate our own ways through life, growing Westernisation is an extremely relevant example to the question of the extent to which we control our lives in the absence of external factors. Retaining local identities is an imperative factor in the maintenance of many societies operating on tradition, but how far can they go without the West at this point in time? In hindsight, perhaps we all truly require such an unparalleled level of control to maintain modern aspects of life heavily influenced by Westernisation – but then again, this concept of ‘Westernisation’ in itself would cease to exist unaccompanied by non-Western society, seeing as it is in fact a principle founded on interdependence. In that context, who is really in need of who?