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Australia is considered a Western country, despite being further east than Japan. This classification is due to Australia's historical ties as a UK colony, democratic form of government, and cultural influence from Western European countries through colonisation and immigration. The term Western country originated after World War II to refer to countries like the US, UK, and France, which differed from Russia and the east in their governing ideologies. Australia's proximity to these countries on a flat map may also contribute to its perception as Western.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geography | Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, lying between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. |
| Australia is geographically closer to Eastern countries like Japan. | |
| On a flat map, Australia appears close to Western countries like the US. | |
| History | Australia was historically part of the British Empire and influenced by Western European colonization. |
| Australia is a former colony of the UK and has a democratic form of government. | |
| Australia has strong protections for civil and political rights, including anti-discrimination legislation. | |
| Australia has signed up to a wide range of international rights treaties. | |
| Culture | Australia is included in modern definitions of the Western world due to its cultural influences from Western countries. |
| Australia is considered a Western country in terms of its societal values and norms. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's democratic governance
Australia is considered a Western country, despite its geographical location further east than Japan. This perception may be due to its proximity to Western countries like the US on a flat map. The term "Western country" emerged after World War II, referring to democratic countries like the UK and the US, which differed from Communist countries like Russia. As a former British colony with democratic governance, Australia is considered Western.
The country follows the Westminster system, a democratic parliamentary model based on the politics of the United Kingdom and the United States. Australia's federation was relatively peaceful compared to other nations, as six British colonies negotiated, designed a constitution, and voted to join a unified system of government. This constitution sets out a system of government with a parliament, executive government, and judiciary, separating powers between them and the states.
Australia's highest official is the British Crown, represented by the Governor-General, rather than an elected president. The leader of the majority party in parliament becomes the Prime Minister. Australia's Senate is composed of Senators elected directly by citizens, who represent their state's needs and scrutinize bills. This direct election of Senators is a democratic feature that sets Australia apart from other nations.
Overall, Australia's democratic governance is characterized by active citizen engagement, free and fair elections, an independent judiciary, and a system of checks and balances that ensure a free and equitable society. These democratic principles have been developed over centuries and continue to evolve through active participation and dialogue.
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Australia's geographical location
Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth. It is located in the Southern Hemisphere, between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Australia is bounded by the Timor Sea to the north and the Indian Ocean to the northwest and west, with the Southern Ocean to the south. The country is separated from Indonesia to the northwest by the Timor and Arafura Seas, and from Papua New Guinea to the northeast by the Coral Sea and the Torres Strait. Australia's mainland extends from west to east for nearly 2,500 miles (4,000 km) and from the Cape York Peninsula in the northeast to Wilsons Promontory in the southeast for nearly 2,000 miles (3,200 km).
The state of Western Australia occupies the part of the continent that is most isolated from the major cultural centres of the east. It is bounded by the Timor Sea to the north, the Indian Ocean to the northwest and west, and the Southern Ocean to the south. Western Australia makes up about one-third of the total area of the continent. It extends about 1,490 miles (2,400 km) from the tropical north to the coastal heaths of the far south. The capital of Western Australia is Perth.
The Australian climate ranges from wet tropical in the northeast and northwest to arid in the centre. The coastal south is temperate and humid, with winter freezing and snow in the southeastern highlands and Tasmania. The climate is influenced by Australia's position in the "'horse latitudes", which brings arid conditions. Overall, the Australian mainland is the driest inhabited continent, with an average annual rainfall of 470 millimetres (19 inches). About 70% of the country is arid or semi-arid, and about 18% is desert.
In terms of its geographical location, Australia is located in the Eastern Hemisphere. However, it is included in modern definitions of the Western world due to its historical influences. Australia was a colony of the UK and has been significantly influenced by British and European immigration and colonisation.
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Australia's historical ties with the UK
Australia is considered a Western country due to its historical ties with the UK, which include colonisation, democratic governance, and cultural heritage. The final constitutional ties between the two countries ended in 1986 with the passing of the Australia Act 1986, but they continue to share strong institutional, cultural, and economic links.
Historically, the UK was a top destination for Australians travelling abroad, and the two countries have a long history of close collaboration in military affairs. The United Kingdom remains the second-largest overall foreign investor in Australia, and Australia is the seventh-largest foreign direct investor in the UK. The relationship is supported by organisations such as the Australian British Chamber of Commerce in Australia and Australian Business in the UK, based in London.
The media industry also plays a role in the strong ties between the two countries, with Rupert Murdoch's involvement in British newspapers and BSkyB. Fremantle has also acquired and merged with Crackerjack Productions, the creators of Neighbours.
The countries have also proposed closer ties and preferential visa access under CANZUK, which includes New Zealand and Canada. This would allow citizens to live and work in any of the four countries.
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Australia's human rights record
Australia is considered a Western country, despite its geographical location in the Eastern Hemisphere. This classification is due to the significant influence of British colonisation and European immigration, which has resulted in Australia adopting political and social characteristics typical of Western nations.
One significant issue is the ongoing systemic racism and discrimination faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Australia's history of colonisation and the gradual dismantling of the White Australia policy have contributed to entrenched racist attitudes and governmental negligence regarding Indigenous rights. There have been calls to raise the age of criminal responsibility to prevent the imprisonment of children as young as 10, which disproportionately affects Indigenous youth.
Australia's treatment of refugees and asylum seekers has also been criticised. New migration laws have been deemed to increase the risks of indefinite detention and human rights abuses. Additionally, anti-protest laws have been used to restrict the right to peaceful assembly, with climate activists, students advocating for Palestinian human rights, and protesters against the war in Gaza facing arrests and police violence.
Australia's expansion of fossil fuel projects has been a further concern, with the country ranking among the top producers of global coal production and developed gas reserves. This perpetuates environmental issues and contributes to climate change, despite protests and activism to shift away from fossil fuels.
Furthermore, gender-based violence remains a serious problem, requiring strengthened legal protections for survivors. Additionally, there have been calls for greater protections for people with disabilities, as the government's current policies are feared to negatively impact their rights to housing, education, and work.
While Australia has an independent statutory human rights body, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and is a signatory to various international human rights treaties, the lack of a national bill of rights remains a critical gap in its human rights framework.
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Australia's economic and cultural centres
Australia is considered a Western country, despite its geographical location east of Japan. This perception may be due to its proximity to Western countries like the US on a flat map. Australia is also a former British colony with democratic governance, influencing its association with the West.
Melbourne, Australia's cultural hub, boasts the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne Museum, showcasing diverse cultural and scientific exhibits. The city is also home to the National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, and the Melbourne Recital Centre, among other cultural institutions.
Canberra, the capital, is home to the National Museum of Australia, which explores the country's history and the diverse cultures of its peoples. The city also boasts the National Gallery of Australia, the Australian War Memorial, and the Canberra Museum and Gallery, contributing to its cultural offerings.
Beyond these major cities, Australia has a wealth of excellent libraries and museums spread across its states and territories, reflecting its diverse and vibrant cultural landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia is considered a Western country. This is due to its historical ties to the UK, its democratic form of government, and its economic and cultural similarities to other Western nations.
The term "Western world" originated after World War II to refer to countries like the UK and USA, which differed from the Soviet Union and the "East" in terms of governing ideologies (democratic vs. communist). As a former British colony with a democratic form of government, Australia is considered a Western country.
Australia shares cultural similarities with Western countries, such as strong protections for civil and political rights, including the legalization of same-sex marriage. Economically, Australia is similar to Western countries in its interest in digital and televisual media technologies.
