why is eastern europe poorer than western europe?

They often wonder if theyre even in the same country when they arrive at their destination! Constantinople is now the city of Istanbul in Turkey, and the greatest church of the Eastern Orthodox faith, the Hagia Sophia, is located there. Due to its Communist history, language barrier, poor infrastructure, poverty and just overall bad reputation, Eastern Europe has managed to deter the hoards of annoying tourists that are plaguing Western Europe. The Slavic languages form a large branch of the Indo-European language family. The most common language spoken is Russian, followed by Polish, Ukrainian, Romanian and Bulgarian. The standard of living of the population until the mid 19th century was about the same. Western European countries differ from each other in terms of their history, languages, religions, and political systems. Be sure to note on your list which countries these cities are found in. My idea incorporates the model of a contest or a tournament where your odds of winning are higher if you spend more resources on fighting. While its per-capita productivity remains lower than that of West Germany, the former East Germany has made major gains since unification. Some of the countries that fall under this category are United Kingdom, Norway, Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Vatican City, Netherlands, Sweden, Malta, Italy, Iceland, Germany, Greece, Finland, etc. What are the Five Themes of Geography? However, people in both areas work hard with about 40 hours per week spent working (the same amount). It is followed by a brief description of the four major religions in the region. Five of the six states in the former East Germany with the exception of the city-state of Berlin had lower per-capita productivity in 2018 than the West German state with the lowest per-capita productivity, Schleswig-Holstein. South Asian Countries | Religion, Culture & Countries List. In either event, the people of Romania and Moldova are closely related. Hoffman's work is published in a new book titled Why Did Europe Conquer the World? Love Sowell. They were part of large empires, such as the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian empires. 1615 L St. NW, Suite 800Washington, DC 20036USA So as an explanation, industrialization doesn't work. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. 55 chapters | Eastern European death rates overtook those in the west in early October, but restrictions in the region which had eased after the first wave still lagged behind controls reintroduced in the west. Europe Climate Zones & Classifications | What Is the Climate In Europe? The technology grew to include more than just guns: armed ships, fortifications that can resist artillery, and more, and the Europeans became the best at using these things. Why was Western Europe more developed than Eastern Europe? Communist regimes were politically repressive, and stifled the economic development of the region. Here, we take a look at why this has happened. - Definition, History & Criticism, Chaos Theory: Definition, History & Examples, What is a Pre-Existing Condition? However, over the past 20 years, most of the nations of Eastern Europe have joined the . As a quick caveat, its worth noting that theres not a one-to-one link between gross domestic product and actual living standards. The Romanian language consists of 75% Latin, 20% Dacian and 5% Slavic. Has Eastern Europe always been poorer than Western Europe, and - Quora Pandemic fatigue is present across the entire continent, and may be especially present in the east, where some people may have felt that they went into a lockdown for nothing. Then you have more capital to invest, which allows for . The vast majority of the region is covered by Russia, which spans roughly 40% of the continent's landmass while accounting for approximately 15% of its total . Thanks! I am glad that a more vigorous race wasn't here as they would have truly dominated the world! However, the South Slavs themselves didn't have it easy, being subjugated by Franks, Bulgars and Byzantines, and later Magyars, Ottomans, Romanians, Austrians, Soviets, etc. With so much diversity within this region, its easy to see why people from around the globe flock here every year. Another explanation, described in Jared Diamond's famous book [Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies], is disease. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal. Communist: The eastern part of the continent has been ruled by communist governments for decades, while the West has had democratic governments for centuries. Most of the Jews who live in the United States are the descendants of people who once lived in Eastern Europe. ), See also: How the attitudes of West and East Germans compare, 30 years after fall of Berlin Wall. An important factor was also the raids of nomads from the steppes, ravaged Eastern Europe. The impact of modernization and individualization can be clearly seen in the lifestyles of people. Despite this, the Soviet Union did play an important role in the regions history. Romanian is a romance language. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'questionscity_com-banner-1','ezslot_10',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-questionscity_com-banner-1-0'); Western Europe has been characterized by its diversity as well as its commitment to democracy and human rights. For that to happen, the countries have to be small and close to one another. Even in countries where governments reintroduced relatively strong restrictions in October, such as Slovenia and Lithuania, infections and deaths have remained high throughout November suggesting low compliance with the rules. Also economically, the Western European countries are much more advanced than the eastern European countries. It severely inhibited political and economic development. And while 7.5% of East Germans ages 55 to 64 were unemployed in 2018, the share was 5.3% among West Germans in the same age range. You can designate these countries on your list with an asterisk or "s" in parentheses next to them. We can also compare how restrictive the two regions disease-prevention measures were during the first wave using the Oxford COVID-19 government response tracker (OxCGRT). idc abour other guys i have a fat cock and im not afraid to shove it down ur skinny bitch throat If we look at the stringency of control measures, we can also see that not all countries acted in the same way. East-West differences in unemployment rates cut across demographic lines including age and gender. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. See here for the complete series: I love listening to Dr. Sowell's wonderful explanations for everything. why is eastern europe poorer than western europe? Why is Eastern Europe Historically Poorer than Western Europe? - reddit The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The terrible assumption you have made so far is Eastern Europe was always poor. Less Diverse: Eastern European countries are less diverse. In 1991, per-capita productivity in the former East was less than half (43%) of productivity in the former West. I feel like its a lifeline. Why are Eastern European countries colder than Northern ones? wu tang clan concert 2021; beauty and the beast symbolic interactionism All rights reserved. 2023 Sowell.org. The governments report points to several possible factors for the worse economic conditions in East Germany, including the lack of major companies headquartered there. >Eastern European men >Like seriously, they are so formal, handsome, and respectful.. Look again at the second graph above. What countries make up Eastern Europe? Romania is probably the most unusual country in this region. Most of the countries in Eastern Europe, including Romania, were never part of the Soviet Union. There are many stereotypes about Eastern Europeans, however, these stereotypes do not always apply to all Eastern European people due to differing cultures within the region itself. Most of the people who live here speak a Slavic language and belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church. 2.Standard of living in Britain was usually poor, Probably OP refers the wealth of the States, not the standard of living of the population (e.g. And all of this describes Europe. Also economically, the Western European countries are much more advanced than the eastern European countries. The former East Germany trails the former West in productivity. Difference Between Western and Eastern Europe 47 West Virginia, and not too far above No. Even before the Holocaust, Jews faced terrible discrimination from the Christian-majority populations in which they lived. Then you have more capital to invest, which allows for growth of the countrys industry. The spread of communism during the beginning and middle of the 20th century had a devastating effect of the culture and economy of Central Europe. However "poverty" refers only to the revenues of States and the level of economic development. Well, it depends on the parameters. But if these factors were at play in the first wave, they havent had the same effect in the second. Unofficial site of Thomas Sowell, Why is Eastern Europe Poorer than Western Europe? In 2018, the average unemployment rate was 6.9% in the six states of the former East Germany, compared with 4.8% in the 10 states of the former West Germany. Understanding why eastern European countries chose to respond differently during the second wave is complicated, though. Most of Eastern Europe was not touched by any Ancient advanced civilisation, either - they had to develop their own, except for the South Slavs. Through this article, let us examine the differences further. This has led to higher levels of entrepreneurship in the west while greater collectivism in the east. 50 Mississippi. Western Europe is wealthier than Eastern Europe. Why? - YouTube I've been to EE and could see a significant difference in the living standards between there and here in Germany: people tend to be thinner, have worse skin, worse styles and their own supermarkets are shit. This is probably the biggest reason I prefer Eastern Europe over Western Europe. Differences Between Eastern And Western Europe - QuestionsCity I wrote previouslythat many European nations are doomed bydemographics tofiscal chaos, but a lot of people dont care that much about the future. and I thought it was because they just freed themselves from communism a few decades ago. Being dominated for centuries has led to lingering inequality and long-lasting effects in many formerly colonized . Where Eastern Europe begins, however, is a matter of opinion. Roman Catholicism - Roman Catholicism is the largest branch of Christianity on Earth. SUU Macroblog - A Living Textbook: Why Is Eastern Europe Poorer? Their situation relative to Western Europe has not become better 70 years after WWII. Countries like Italy, S. Korea, Spain, Portugal and Greece would each rank below Mississippi as the poorest states in the country. Both had one factor significantly holding them back: foreign invaders. Germans in both areas say living standards in the former East have not yet caught up with those in the former West. 9 Reasons Why I Like Eastern Europe Better Than Western Europe! 525 lessons. Explore Eastern Europe. So, I put together an economic model of how this technology has advanced to come up with what I think is the real reason why the West conquered almost everyone else. It shows that in between the two waves, the east relaxed its measures further than the west, and was then less eager in reimposing them. Most people in western Europe speak at least two languages, one of which will be English. One lesson the book teaches is that actions involving war, foreign policy, and military spending can have big, long-lasting consequences: this is a lesson that policy makers should never forget. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'questionscity_com-box-4','ezslot_1',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-questionscity_com-box-4-0'); Eastern Europe has a rich history with many cultures and languages. The Differences Between Eastern and Western European Startups The Mongols ravaged and destroyed the entirety of the Rus' land for centuries while making the Rus' their slaves. Why are Eastern European men so much better than western men? Christianity is the main religion in Eastern Europe. Even much of Russia is located in Asia. Summary: Despite all of the above, Eastern Europe is still not a poor region. Create your account. Also, the people in Romania speak a language with romance roots, which is called the Romanian language. The Netherlands is the country with the most time off in the world. The highest point in Eastern Europe is Mount Elbrus, which stands at 5642 meters high. Im simply making the modest yet important argument that Europeans would be more prosperous if the fiscal burden of government wasnt so onerous. Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms. One explanation might be that these countries are victims of their own success. Great video. From the Reformation to the 20th century. Some of the economic activity in energy-rich states such as North Dakota, for instance, translates into income for shareholders living elsewhere in America. 9. Most of the major periods in European history (Middle Ages, Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment), also affected Eastern Europe. Although they may seem like completely different worlds at first glance, there are some striking similarities between eastern and western European countries that can help travelers decide where to go on vacation or which country to live in after college graduation. Islam - Islam came to Eastern Europe via the Ottoman Empire. More specifically, the Eastern orthodox Church is the branch of Christianity with the largest number of adherents in this region. I understand why it looks that way but that's because of your perspective. It also includes some of the Balkan nations. Its fascinating how different these two worlds are, but it also shows us that we should not be afraid to embrace our unique qualities as individuals or communities if they lead to sustainable growth and innovationsomething both regions could stand for! The book also reminds us that in a world where there are hostile powers, we really don't want to get rid of spending on improving military technology. People speak romance languages and those with Germanic roots as well. Muslims are a minority in most parts of Europe. And I mean apocalyptic. Productivity in the East, in other words, was 75% of productivity in the West on a per-capita basis. Lets get back to whether people in places such as Denmark (or anywhere else in Europe) enjoy more prosperity than their American counterparts. In this video, we will explore the reasons behind the economic gap between Western and Eastern Europe. I dont have a policy lesson here: simply an observation that the United Kingdom has one really rich region (Greater London) and quite few relatively poor regions. the Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Turkey (western-most part). I received my bachelor's degree in history from George Washington University and later earned a master's degree in the same subject from Uppsala University in Sweden. It's just fascinating. In other words, continuing in a successful manner the integration of the Eastern European member states with Western Europe has always been and will always be the single most important thing (factor, challenge, decision, area, you name it) for the EU as a whole. And almost no major companies have their headquarters in East Germany. Excellent point. Amazing how so many refuse to acknowledge how climate and geography go hand and hand with a country's economic development. Most of these people migrated to Germany after the war. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. For example, that Europe became industrialized more quickly and therefore became wealthier than the rest of the world. 3. Example: Much of Eastern Europe's population has Russian ancestry. It was politically weak, it was poor, and the major long-distance commerce was a slave trade led by Vikings. Being dominated for centuries has led to lingering inequality and long-lasting effects in many formerly colonized countries, including poverty and slow economic growth. The spending on war gave leaders a chance to try out new weapons, new armed ships, and new tactics, and to learn from mistakes on the battlefield. An error occurred trying to load this video. Personally, I would much rather see expenditures devoted to infrastructure, or scientific research, or free preschool for everybodythings that would carry big economic benefitsbut in this world, I don't think you can stop doing military research or spending money on the military. It can be further subdivided into four sub-regions: Northern Europe, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Southern Europe. Bohemia and Hungary were also quite powerful, and only the Russian states could be considered poor. Some people include Greece and the Baltic countries, as well. Generally speaking, Slavic languages that use the Cyrillic alphabet are found in countries that practice the Eastern Orthodox faith. You also have more free time to learn other skills and trades. The highest mountain in eastern Europe is Mount Elbrus, which stands at 18,510 feet tall. 2 2. | Thomas Sowell. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright 2010-2018 Difference Between. The main differences are the recognition of the pope as the head of the church, and the fact that priests in the Eastern orthodox faith are allowed to marry. Example: Some people do not consider Russia to be part of Europe. Countries in this region are typically located on the continent of Asia, except for Turkey which lies partly in both Asia and Europe. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Maybe we should remind him that Mexico and China, as US states, would both be far below our poorest state Mississippi by 51% and 62% respectively for GDP per capita; and Japan would be barely above our poorest state Mississippi. Here is an Eastern Europe countries list that can help discern what is considered Eastern European territory, and what countries are considered Eastern European: Note: The Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) are also sometimes considered to be part of Eastern Europe by some, but part of Northern Europe by others. A long line of horse-lords swept west from the steppe into eastern europe, and would generally displace the tribes living there - all the way up to the Mongols. After the sack of Constantinople in 1204, however, the eastern economy was permanently disrupted, and wealth began to shift westward. Why is Eastern Europe Poorer than Western Europe? | Thomas Sowell Press J to jump to the feed. Eastern Europe: Eastern Europe refers to the eastern part of Europe. I have been a writer and editor for more than two decades. Were Gaining Vitality on Key Measures, 60% of Americans Would Be Uncomfortable With Provider Relying on AI in Their Own Health Care, Gender pay gap in U.S. hasnt changed much in two decades. That was a really great question and it got me interested. Eastern Europes pandemic experience has been dramatically different this autumn. Transport, accommodation and food tend to take a smaller bite out of your wallet, without compromising on history, culture, and experience. One big factor that's important to the advancement of any defense technology is how much money a political leader can spend. Yes, there are lots of conventional explanationsindustrialization, for examplebut on closer inspection they all fall apart. Its clear that these two regions hold many similarities as well as some stark contrasts; it will be interesting to see what changes occur over the next few years. Make a list of at least seven of the largest cities in Eastern Europe. But exploring Soviet-era Eastern Europe is not even half the story. Western Europe is known for many things, but perhaps most famously it is the home of some of the worlds greatest tourist attractions. You also have more free time to learn other skills and trades. Eastern Europe religion is dominated by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Most Eastern European Jews spoke Yiddish, a language closely-related to German. As always, excellently explained to be easily understood. Greece is located in south-east Europe! The romance languages form another large branch of the Indo-European languages family. Paris was this little walled fortress town, and Constantinople was so large it needed its own governor. Language spoken in most eastern European countries includes Russian and Ukrainian. Which is mostly Southern Europe and Anatolia (under the Macedonian dynasty at least). Youll get a better idea of how different cultures influence one another and why its difficult to generalize about either region. The difference is so stark that Eastern Europe is sometime not even counted as "Western Civilization." Communism explains some of it more recently, but it doesn't explain why it was also true in the medieval and ancient times. Here is an Eastern Europe religion map that depicts the split of Christianity after the Great Schism of 1054. The four major religions in Eastern Europe are the Eastern Orthodox faith, Catholicism, Islam, and Judaism. Along with the inventions of the industrial revolution, countries have been able to gain a high economic development rate. Nordstream pipeline story is not over | Fox News' Tucker Carlson asks For instance, Romanians speak a romance language. When we turn to the second wave (starting around September and ongoing), were faced with the opposite question: why did eastern European countries not act in spite of rapidly rising infections and deaths?