Westernizer
Encyclopedia
Westernizers were a group of 19th century intellectuals who believed that Russia
's development depended upon the adoption of Western European technology and liberal
government. In their view, western ideas such as industrialisation needed to be implemented throughout Russia in order to make it a more successful country. In Russian the term was known as Zapadnichestvo (западни́чество) which can be translated as "Westernism", and its adherents were known as the Zapadniks, westernists in English.
In modern usage, especially in the developing world, the term can refer to supporters of Western-style economic development.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
's development depended upon the adoption of Western European technology and liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
government. In their view, western ideas such as industrialisation needed to be implemented throughout Russia in order to make it a more successful country. In Russian the term was known as Zapadnichestvo (западни́чество) which can be translated as "Westernism", and its adherents were known as the Zapadniks, westernists in English.
In modern usage, especially in the developing world, the term can refer to supporters of Western-style economic development.