Western-preferential

Western-preferential describes a viewpoint, policy, or behavior that favors or prioritizes Western countries, cultures, values, or perspectives over those of other regions or societies. This preference can manifest in various ways, including economic policies that favor trade with Western nations, cultural products and media that are more readily accessible or promoted, or diplomatic alliances that prioritize relationships with Western governments. The term often carries a critical connotation, suggesting an inherent bias or potential for the marginalization of non-Western viewpoints or interests. It implies a hierarchical understanding of the world where Western systems are implicitly valued more highly, sometimes at the expense of alternative, non-Western approaches.

Western-preferential meaning with examples

• The new trade agreement, criticized as Western-preferential, significantly lowered tariffs for goods originating from North American and European countries while imposing stricter regulations on imports from developing nations in Asia and Africa. This created an uneven playing field, potentially hindering the growth of non-Western economies. This policy underscored concerns that the agreement prioritized Western economic interests and potentially limited global trade opportunities.
• The university’s curriculum, considered Western-preferential by some faculty members, placed a disproportionate emphasis on Western literature, philosophy, and historical perspectives, while giving considerably less attention to other important, and possibly alternative, global narratives. Critics argued that this curriculum fostered a Eurocentric worldview, neglecting the diversity of global experiences and potentially reinforcing cultural biases among the students.
• The funding allocation for international research projects displayed a clear Western-preferential bias. Research proposals from European and North American institutions were granted significantly more funding than those originating from institutions in other parts of the world. This imbalance could limit opportunities for important research outside of Western research, and promote and sustain a Western centric point of view in academic thought.
• The media coverage of international conflicts demonstrated a Western-preferential framing, often highlighting the perspectives and experiences of Western nations and their allies, while giving less attention to non-Western actors or downplaying their importance. This imbalance risked providing a distorted view of the global situation, potentially misinforming public opinion by placing a Western-oriented emphasis on events.