I highly recommend you use this site! (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax These are Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Austria, and Switzerland. FIG. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal. (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbn has articulated one strain of opposition to the EUs conception of European values, declaring in July 2018 that Central Europe has a special culture. Life satisfaction differs all over Europe depending on social and economic factors which aid or contribute positively or negatively to the landscape. Your email address will not be published. Majorities in all European nations polled in 2011 said guaranteeing that nobody is in need is more important. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union refers to common values in its preamble, which begins: The peoples of Europe, in creating an ever closer union among them, are resolved to share a peaceful future based on common values. Germany is the most populous country in Western Europe, with a population of approximately 83 million, while France has a population of about 63 million. The continent of Europe can be divided into two regions as the western and eastern Europe. All human development, from large cities to small towns, shines light into the night sky. This is not to suggest that support for multiculturalism is universal even in Western Europe. Eastern Europe: Most people follow Orthodox Christianity or Islam. For statistical purposes, the United Nations Geoscheme divides the continent into four different subregions: Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Southern Europe, and Northern Europe. Transport, accommodation, and food tend to be less expensive than in Western Europe. But not everyone across Western Europe feels this way. Among Caucasians, tanning oil with little SPF is a beach essential while Asians commonly bring sunscreen with high SPF. Europe has strong social safety nets and this further reduces the level of stress in people's lives. The U.N. Geoscheme does not necessarily reflect the former or current geopolitical divisions of Europe. In many Western European countries surveyed, roughly one-fifth of the population expresses belief in reincarnation, a concept more closely associated with Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism than with Christianity. Still, there are notable differences across the Atlantic. Majorities favor same-sex marriage in every Western European country surveyed, and nearly all of these countries have legalized the practice. It is related to Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. 5. Still, there are notable differences across the Atlantic. Eastern Europe: Eastern Europe is comparatively less advanced regarding the economy. 5Americans and Europeans dont always agree on questions about morality, especially on issues related to sexuality. During the twentieth century, few regions on the planet suffered as much as Eastern Europeans. In much of Europe, life is laid-back and slow-paced; people work shorter hours and have lots of time with family. People in Central and Eastern Europe also are more likely than Western Europeans to say being born in their country and having family background there are important to truly share the national identity (e.g., to be truly Romanian; see here.). Michael Derrer, a Swiss consultant and translator for Eastern Europe, told me, Western perfectionism asks for improving situations, which of course is good in the long run, but Eastern Europeans can cope with situations that are not perfect, which is useful for the short-term individual well-being.. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 Crime is low, even in cities, making Western Europe very safe. But historical schisms underlie this common religious identity: Each of the three major Christian traditions Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodoxy predominates in a certain part of the continent. However, the U.S. is a clear outlier to this pattern a wealthy nation that is also relatively religious. For the European Union, whose members include 24 of the 34 countries surveyed in this report, the term European values tends to signify what Americans might consider liberal ideals.2 The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union includes respect for cultural and religious diversity; prohibitions against discrimination based on religion and sexual orientation; the right to asylum for refugees; and guarantees of freedom of movement within the EU.3. Eastern and Western Europeans Differ on Importance of Religion, Views of Minorities, and Key Social Issues People in Central and Eastern Europe are less accepting of Muslims and Jews, same-sex marriage, and legal abortion 6. Also economically, the Western European countries are much more advanced than the eastern European countries. In Western Europe, meanwhile, majorities in nearly every country surveyed say religion should be kept separate from government policies. An error occurred trying to load this video. Western Europe refers to the western part of Europe. The economy is comparatively lower and less stable than in Western Europe. There is a strong tradition of hospitality in Eastern Europe, and generosity and goodwill are common: from inviting strangers to dinner to offerings of drinks and gifts. Then, in 2001, Russia adopted a 13% flat tax. Eastern Europe: Most people follow Orthodox Christianity or Islam. The Baltic States, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, are Northern Europes newest countries, having regained their independence upon the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In The Hidden Europe, I also examine 17 negative traits that Eastern Europeans have in common. Among the Western European countries surveyed, only in Portugal (44%) do more than three-in-ten say they are absolutely certain that God exists. Southern Europe is where much of Europes history began. Check out Francis other posts on Big Think. They also have a small smile that tends to be even more angled than Asians. Life in the UK and Scandinavia is different from continental Europe. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Get counterintuitive, surprising, and impactful stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday. This is especially common in Spain, Southern Italy, and Greece. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts. In this region may Catholics and Protestant Christians can be seen. Its a pity we dont copy Eastern Europe and seal off vast areas in our city center for walkers. The impact of modernization and individualization can be clearly seen in the lifestyles of people. But you don't have to go far from a major city to find this attitude change. Eastern Europe is the largest and most populous . In Belgium, for example, 55% of respondents currently identify as Christian, compared with 83% saying they were raised Christian. Lots of time is spent with family, including several hours for meals. Moreover, Eastern Europe isnt the global leader on such issues (nor are they the laggard, either). Russia, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine were all republics in the Soviet Union, until it collapsed in 1991. 1973. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Of course, there are other shared positive traits in Eastern Europe. But Czechs also express low levels of acceptance toward Muslims, more closely resembling their neighbors in the East. Traditional culture can be found in rural areas. Europe Climate Zones & Classifications | What Is the Climate In Europe? At much higher elevations are the Alpine countries of Switzerland, Austria, and the small principality of Liechtenstein. Another important reason is a connection with their national heritage. 2. Like in many places, city life is faster-paced and more stressful. Russia is by far the largest and most populous country in Eastern Europe. And in Georgia, 92% of adults say it is important to speak Georgian to truly share their national identity. Eastern Europe is the Eastern side of the continent of Europe, usually considered to include Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria, though sometimes also including Poland, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Next came Ukraine (15%), Slovakia (19%), Romania (16%), Serbia (14%), Czechia (12.5%), Macedonia (10%), Albania (10%), Montenegro (9%), Bosnia (10%), and Bulgaria (10%). Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Greece, and Slovenia are considering flat taxes. Particularly sharp differences emerge when comparing attitudes in countries historically associated with Eastern vs. Western Europe. During the cold war period, this region was referred to as the Eastern bloc or else the Soviet bloc. The United Nations Geoscheme divides Europe into 4 subregions: Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Northern Europe, and Southern Europe. Germany has the worlds fourth largest economy, while France has the seventh largest economy in the world. In France and the United Kingdom, for example, most say it is not important to be Christian to be truly French or truly British. In most of Europe, including the countryside of France, Germany, and Spain, life is relatively laid-back and slow-paced, people work less demanding schedules, and family and mealtimes are central parts of life. Just as it is in Western Europe, Germany is also the largest and most populous country in Central Europe. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. Yet, at the same time, only about six-in-ten Hungarians believe in God, reflecting Western European levels of belief. These are among the findings of Pew Research Center surveys conducted across Central and Eastern Europe in 2015 and 2016 and Western Europe in 2017.7. Life in Eastern Europe has more and more in common with the West every day, especially in cities, where fast food chains are now common. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright 2010-2018 Difference Between. People are also much more religious here, especially in Italy where the Catholic faith is dominant. People drive faster, talk to the neighbors less, and work longer hours. However, today, Westerners are saddled with convoluted tax codes, while Eastern Europeans are champions of flat taxes. When examining the culture and society of the countries of Eastern Europe, a clear difference can be seen in family structures. Eastern Europe: Albania, Bosnia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine, Serbia, Slovakia, Moldova, Lithuania are some countries of Eastern Europe. On the other hand, Western Europeans are also diverse (compare Portugal with Norway), yet that doesnt stop us from seeing their common traits. Use our interactive map to find out, 60% of Americans Would Be Uncomfortable With Provider Relying on AI in Their Own Health Care, The changing face of Congress in 8 charts. Age differences are stronger in Western Europe than in Eastern Europe on this issue: Younger adults across most of Western Europe are more likely than those ages 35 and older to prefer separation of church and state. Western Europe: More Catholics and Protestant Christians can be seen. They usually have got brown or dark . This part of Europe is by far the richest and contains major financial centers like London and Paris. While large majorities across the continent say they were baptized Christian, and most European countries still have solid Christian majorities, the survey responses indicate a significant decline in Christian affiliation throughout Western Europe. Other questions asked on the survey point to a further East-West values gap with respect to key social issues, such as same-sex marriage and legal abortion. If you compare Korean Idols with American celebrities, you can see the clear difference in . Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. Most of these adults say they gradually drifted away from religion, though many also say they disagreed with church positions on social issues like homosexuality and abortion, and/or that they stopped believing in religious teachings. But Southern Europe is more than just the ruins of ancient civilizations. Taken together, these and other questions about national identity, religious minorities and cultural superiority would seem to indicate a European divide, with high levels of religious nationalism in the East and more openness toward multiculturalism in the West. Estonia led the revolution in 1994 and today has a 23% flat tax. Given that, its amazing that Eastern Europeans arent more screwed up. But in several others, including Poland, Russia and Ukraine, the balance of opinion tilts in the other direction, with respondents more likely to say that abortion should be mostly or entirely illegal. Many Eastern European cities are not designed around cars, and walking is common. Western Europe: Western Europe is economically more advanced as well as prosperous. But today, for most people living in the former Eastern bloc, being Christian (whether Catholic or Orthodox) is an important component of their national identity. City life is fast-paced and stressful when compared with Europe as a whole. Meanwhile, Americans and Western Europeans are plagued with a Byzantine tax code. About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. Western Europeans also are more likely than their neighbors in the East to say they never pray (e.g., 62% in Denmark vs. 28% in Russia). They also tend to have thicker eyebrows than other ethnic groups. For example, most Greeks say they are not willing to accept Muslims in their families; three-quarters consider being Orthodox Christian important to being truly Greek; and nearly nine-in-ten say Greek culture is superior to others. In America, the only pedestrian zones are in our spiritless shopping malls. Roughly half of Slovaks, for example, say they favor same-sex marriage, and a similar share say they would accept Muslims in their family lower shares than in most Western European countries, but well above their neighbors in the East. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. (See Religion in Latin America: Widespread Change in a Historically Catholic Region and Tolerance and Tension: Islam and Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa.) In Western Europe, on the other hand, in no country does a majority express belief in the evil eye. According to my observations, the majority of Eastern Europeans (Slavs) have facial features such as high cheekbones and deep-set almond-shaped eyes with colors ranging from green, and dark blue, to light or dark brown. More than half of adults in most countries say religion should be kept separate from government policies, rather than the opposing view that government policies should support religious values and beliefs. What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S. In Ukraine, meanwhile, young adults and older adults look very similar on this question (68% vs. 69%). Today, 72% of Americans say homosexuality should be accepted by society, compared with 21% who say it should not be accepted. Although Western European cities have nice pedestrian zones, because Eastern Europeans dont have as many cars as Western Europeans, theyre more likely to walk everywhere. Eastern European culture often involves venting about misfortunes; when compared to the unusually positive culture of America, the differences are stark. While majorities in most Central and Eastern European countries tie being Christian to being truly Serbian, Polish, etc. Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms, Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza, Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19, Difference Between Salt Bridge and Hydrogen Bond, Difference Between Apple iPad Air and iPad Air 2, Difference Between Conventional Current and Electric Current, What is the Difference Between Body Wash and Shower Gel, What is the Difference Between Ice Pick and Thunderclap Headache, What is the Difference Between Macular Degeneration and Macular Edema, What is the Difference Between Preganglionic and Postganglionic Brachial Plexus Injury, What is the Difference Between Polyhydramnios and Oligohydramnios, What is the Difference Between Laceration and Abrasion. African Geography | Features & Landscape in Africa, Southwest Asia | Facts, Human Geography & Physical Geography. Eastern Europe: People speak languages with Slavic roots. Many Eastern European cities are not designed around cars, and walking is common. They also tend to look substantially more symmetrical than Western Europeans, especially the Nordics, wh Continue Reading 23 3 Jan Pierzchala Economist Author has 206 answers and 175.6K answer views 1 y Related (+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries. 1615 L St. NW, Suite 800Washington, DC 20036USA Substantial shares of the public in many Western European countries view being Christian as a key component of their national identity and say they would not accept Muslims or Jews as relatives. On balance, adults in Western European countries are less likely to view these nativist elements as important to national identity. Although there is no longer a physical east-west barrier in Europe, there still exists a faint, but measurable, cultural and economic divide. 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