Western Civilization

Civilization is a stage of advancement where a society attains a higher level of development. As known to many, the most civilized region in the globe is the western (Europe in particular).Its wise for a nation not to dwell on its tradition culture but try to take a step forward and get to a more appealing level that would bring development to the nation. Different levels of civilization between different countries are seen through the appearance of the two countries (Orwell 1941). This essay will base its argument on Orwell’s writing about the English civilization (1941).

According to Orwell (1941), people are said to be the same. This is because they were created by the same God. However, when it comes to civilization, people are different according to where they belong. The behavior of those in civilized nations behaves very differently from those in less or uncivilized countries. Orwell says that different countries do things differently according to their levels of civilization. Due to the European civilization that is seen as the most civilized continent globally, we find that its people are so happy living in the continent. People from other continents, for example, those from America feel comfortable whenever they tour Europe. Taking an example of England people feel a lot of difference from the air they used to breath, the food they used to eat, water and the lifestyles of the citizens. This is for those who had traveled away from England and happen to go back to their country after a very long period (Orwell, 1941).Western civilization has improved the lifestyles of the western people a lot. The mode of dressing of the western people is usually very much different from that of the Africans for example. In the past, it was unethical for ladies to wear men’s clothes. Due to civilization in the western ladies are now wearing some clothes that are made for men, for example, the trousers. It was also shameful for someone to walk half naked in front of the people. Western civilization has made it a normal thing for ladies especially to put on clothes that expose bodies to the public.

Civilization has entered in Africa at a very high rate. This has been catalyzed by the ‘change agents’ who travel to Europe maybe to study, work, visit friends or even trips. They get swallowed slowly by the behavior of the people in Europe and come back to Africa behaving in the same way that they found people behaving back in Europe. Not only in Africa but western civilization has spread to other continents as well (Orwell, 1941). This is also as a result of people from different continents visiting Europe and going back to their continents. They don’t go back alone but accompany them westernization. People from Europe also carry with them their civilization to other continents when they tour the continents as tourists and other purposes. According to Orwell (1941), England together with other countries in the world is changing. He meant that after England’s’ civilization which represents Europe, the change has spread largely to the rest of the world.

There are various characteristics of certain nations that explain the civilization of a given nation. A certain country does something better than another country or goes ahead to do something that the other country has not done yet. Therefore, this shows the type or level of civilization of that country. Although England is being considered being much civilized as an example of the European continent, it also has its drawbacks from its civilization. According to Orwell (1941), he talks of Englishmen having bad teeth, which he says it describes the type of their life styles despite civilization. He also talks of Englishmen not having been blessed by so many gifts and high levels of intellect. Despite all these disadvantages, England has thrived to become more civilized than many other countries in Europe. Its civilization is seen from its industrialization and development (Orwell, 1941).

Another aspect of civilization is based on the political grounds. The German system of politics during the time of Hitler was characterized by dictatorship. Nobody decided what to do and what not to do. The citizens were slaves of their country where they did what the government demanded them to do; bad or good, nobody in the government cared. They had to wait till the death of Hitler for civilization to come in. On the side of England, the political system has always been democratic as brought forward by George Orwell (1941).He expresses the democratic political system in England. He says that the people of England have the freedom to do anything that they want with their free time, have families of their own and other things without being chosen for from above. By so saying he revealed that in England there is the democracy where everybody choose their decisions and know what to do with their lives.

.As the discussion on the western civilization continue using the example of England, there are a lot more attracting things that come out from this civilization. Civilization in England has installed discipline and respect among the laborers of the community. According to Orwell (1941), England is a place where public workers work without any anger. There is usually no harassment by the police, and they don’t always carry weapons. This is because they are assured of security where security starts from the citizens themselves then to the police. There is civilization also on the side of the military. Englishmen hate war. Thus the military stays safe not to call for any war and always very organized. In case of an attack, England is only moved a bit, but not brought down because their military is always prepared and organized. According to Orwell (1941), the minds of the military are not usually war-oriented but only think of how to defend themselves and their country.

Still on military grounds, there happen to exist a very good relationship between the army and the normal citizens. Where the citizens don’t fear the army but respect prevails among them. The citizens take the military to be their security and not bad people as compared to other countries where the sight of the army can only be interpreted as trouble. Despite the good relationship with the police and the military, the amazing thing is that the law is followed by everybody in the society. When it comes to voting, nobody is given directions on what to do or where to vote. People do conduct themselves without supervision (Orwell, 1941).Improvement and a high level of technology is another step to specialization in Europe. England manufactures a variety of high-quality goods that are admired by many of the other nations. This is because of the high levels of technology that help in the production of high quality and quantity goods and services. After these goods have been produced, there is usually a ready market for them due to their enhanced communication and linkage to other countries in the foreign trade market. This is also through the impact of technology.

In conclusion, Western civilization has impacted xo much on the lives of people who feel the intensity and the benefits of it. Civilization ensured that everybody is equal for example in the law abiding, where there is no law for the poor or law for the rich. It has also played a major role in keeping peace within the western countries and made people live love.

References

Orwell, G. (1941): The Lion and the Unicorn. London, Great Britain.