--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now, I know it's a widespread assumption…" description: "\"Now, I know it's a widespread assumption in the West that as countries modernize, they also westernize. This is an illusion. It's an assumption that mo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/martin-jacques-6623_also_now-i-know-it-s-a-widespread-assumption_1810291.png" --- # Now, I know it's a widespread assumption in the West that… ![“Now, I know it's a widespread assumption in the West that as countries modernize, they also westernize. This is an illusion. It's an assumption that modernity is a product simply of competition, markets and technology. It is not. It is also shaped equally by history and culture. China is not like…” quote by Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/martin-jacques-6623_also_now-i-know-it-s-a-widespread-assumption_1810291.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/martin-jacques-6623_also_now-i-know-it-s-a-widespread-assumption_1810291.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/martin-jacques-6623_also_now-i-know-it-s-a-widespread-assumption_1810291.png) > “Now, I know it's a widespread assumption in the West that as countries modernize, they also westernize. This is an illusion. It's an assumption that modernity is a product simply of competition, markets and technology. It is not. It is also shaped equally by history and culture. China is not like the West, and it will not become like the West.” [Martin Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-jacques/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modernization does not automatically bring Westernization; cultural and historical contexts shape development uniquely. **In simple terms:** Modernity isn’t just Western; culture matters. Key Takeaway Recognize diverse paths of development. Themes culture history modernization globalization identity Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - policy planning - international relations - education reform - business strategy Key Concepts civilization theory cultural relativism development studies Questions to Reflect On - How can policies respect cultural uniqueness? - What risks arise from assuming uniform modernization? A Different Perspective Western models may overlook local values and needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Also](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/also/) [Assumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assumption/) [Assumption Modernity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assumption-modernity-2108673/) [Become](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/become/) [China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china/) [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Countries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/countries/) [Countries Modernize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/countries-modernize-2108672/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Equally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equally/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Markets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/markets/) [Modernity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modernity/) [Modernize Westernize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modernize-westernize-2108671/) [Now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/now/) [Product](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/product/) [Shaped](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shaped/) [Simply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simply/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/west/) [Westernize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/westernize-2108674/) [Widespread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/widespread/) [Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will/) ## Related quotes > [In Serbia a lot of people hate me because they want to westernize, not understanding that the western world is bipolar, with very good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emir-kusturica/in-serbia-a-lot-of-people-hate-me-because-they-want-to-westernize-not/) [Emir Kusturica](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emir-kusturica/) > [China is, indeed, in so many ways, not like the West. 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