In a well-written essay explain how have developed Western countries affected non-western developing nations during the modern period. Explain how three political, economic and/or cultural approaches by European and other Western countries shaped the developing world over the last 250 years.

Answer 1

Since the modern period, Western countries have significantly affected non-western developing nations in several ways. The impact of the Western world on the developing world dates back to the colonial period, and it has since been a considerable challenge faced by developing countries. This essay aims to explore how Western countries have affected non-western developing nations during the modern period. Additionally, it will explain how three political, economic, and cultural approaches by European and other Western countries have shaped the developing world in the last 250 years.

Western countries came with the intention of exploiting the developing world’s resources. During the colonial period, Western countries used their power and resources to control non-Western countries and colonize them. They implemented a system of governance that left the natives of these countries with no say regarding their country's development. For instance, the British Empire colonized India, and their political approach was to ensure that the Indian natives had minimal participation in the country's governance. This approach weakened the political institutions of India and reduced the country's ability to govern themselves even after colonization.

In addition to political control, Western countries introduced economic systems that significantly affected non-western countries. For example, the introduction of the wage economy in countries such as Africa meant that natives were forced to work in mines and plantations, all the while earning meager wages. This economic approach saw the development of some African countries’ economies, but it only benefitted the Western world. Countries that relied on the production of goods for trade or had an abundance of natural resources also suffered during the colonial period. Western countries controlled the production of these goods and set a low price that only benefitted them. For example, Tanzania's economy was heavily based on trading ivory and rubber, but the Western world set the price of these goods to be low, depriving the country of much-needed revenue.

Cultural approaches taken by Western countries have also heavily shaped the world's developing nations. These approaches mainly include the introduction of western culture in developing countries. The Western world found it necessary to westernize the non-western countries, which resulted in the loss of their culture. Many countries either willingly or unwillingly adopted western culture, including dressing, language, and religion. This approach harmed the locals, as they were unable to identify with their own culture.

In conclusion, Western countries' impact on non-western developing nations during the modern period has been immense. Western countries have exploited developing nations’ resources and introduced different approaches that weakened these countries’ political, economic, and even cultural institutions. The three approaches explored here highlight how political control, economic exploitation, and cultural westernization have left non-western developing nations in a state of underdevelopment. However, recent decades have seen some progress towards undoing the damages caused by Western countries, particularly in promoting the development of these nations. It is hoped that these efforts will continue to uplift and empower people in the developing world.