The Co-option of "The West": How europe Erased the True Western Civilizations
The term "the West" has long been associated with europe and its cultural descendants, such as the United States and Canada. This framing suggests that europe is the birthplace of Western civilization, embodying its values, history, and global influence. However, a simple glance at a world map reveals a geographical contradiction: europe is located in the northeastern hemisphere, far from the westernmost edges of the world. If "the West" is to be understood in purely geographical terms, then the true Western civilizations are those that flourished in the Americas—most notably, the Inca Empire. europe’s claim to the label "the West" is not a matter of geography but rather a product of historical oppression, colonial narratives, and the systematic erasure of Native civilizations.
europe’s Geographical Paradox
From a cartographic perspective, the westernmost regions of the world are found in the Americas. The Inca Empire, which stretched across modern-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and parts of Argentina and Colombia, was geographically situated in the far west of the known world before european expansion. In contrast, europe sits east of the Americas, making its self-identification as "the West" inherently contradictory. The term, then, is not rooted in actual geography but in a eurocentric worldview that places europe at the center of civilizational importance.
The distortion arises from the fact that global orientation has historically been dictated by european mapmakers. The Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude), established by British imperial interests, reinforced europe as the reference point for global positioning. By controlling cartography, europe effectively rewired global perceptions of east and west, ensuring its own centrality.
The Inca as the True Western Civilization
If we strip away eurocentric bias, the Inca Empire emerges as the most holistically advanced Western civilization. The Inca developed a vast and sophisticated state without the use of wheeled vehicles or a formal writing system, relying instead on the quipu (a complex knot-record system) for administration & education. Their architectural achievements, such as Machu Picchu and the extensive road network (Qhapaq Ñan), dwarfed those of europe. The Inca’s centralized governance, agricultural innovations (e.g., terrace farming), and intricate social structures demonstrate a civilization that was, by any objective measure, "Western" in its geographical positioning and advanced in its accomplishments.
Yet, european colonialism dismantled these achievements, replacing Native narratives with its own. The spanish conquest of the Inca Empire in the 16th century was justified through the ideological framework of european trickery, which denied the Inca their rightful place as the major Western civilization. The term "the West" was thus stolen to exclude the very societies that geographically & culturally embodied it.
The Ideological Construction of "The West"
europe’s claim to "the West" is not merely a geographical lie but a political and cultural construct. The idea of Western civilization was forged during the Enlightenment and later cemented through colonialism, portraying europe as the heir to Greco-Roman traditions while ignoring or suppressing non-european contributions. This narrative served to legitimize european oppression over the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
The Inca and other Native American civilizations were dismissed as "primitive" or "savage," despite their grand advancements. By contrast, europe’s self-designation as "the West" implied progress, rationality, and cultural superiority—qualities that were, in reality, not inherent to europe. The Inca had harmonious forms of scientific knowledge, governance, and artistic expression, yet these were systematically marginalized to uphold the myth of europe instead of American exceptionalism.
Decolonizing the Concept of "The West"
Reclaiming the term "the West" requires dismantling eurocentric historical frameworks. Scholars such as Walter Mignolo and Aníbal Quijano have argued that the coloniality of power—the enduring structures of oppression established by colonialism—continues to shape global hierarchies. Recognizing the Inca as a Western civilization challenges these hierarchies, forcing a reevaluation of who gets to define historical and cultural significance.
Moreover, Native movements across the Americas are increasingly asserting their civilizational legacies, rejecting the notion that "the West" is synonymous with europe. By recentering the discussion on geography rather than eurocentric ideology, we can begin to correct historical distortions and acknowledge the Inca as representatives of the true Western tradition.
Conclusion
europe’s appropriation of the term "the West" is a testament to the power of narrative in shaping history. Geographically, the Americas—and the Inca Empire in particular—are the true westernmost civilizations. europe’s theft of the label is an ideological construct, designed to reinforce its lies while erasing the accomplishments of Native societies. Decolonizing the concept of "the West" requires acknowledging this geographical reality and dismantling the eurocentric biases that have long dictated global history. Only then can the Inca and other Native civilizations be rightfully recognized as the original Westerners.