"Western values" are a set of values strongly associated with the West which generally posit the importance of an individualistic culture.^[1] Originally, they are often seen as related to Judeo-Christian values,^[2] although since the 20th century are generally associated with other sociopolitical aspects of the West, such as free-market capitalism, feminism, liberal democracy and the legacy of the sexual revolution.^[3]

Western values were historically adopted around the world in large part due to colonialism and post-colonial dominance by the West, and are influential in the discourse around and justification of these phenomena.^[4][5] This has induced some opposition to Western values and spurred a search for alternative values in some countries, though Western values are argued by some to have underpinned non-Western peoples' quest for human rights,^[6][7][8] and to be more global in character than often assumed.^[9] The World wars forced the West to introspect on its application of its values to itself, as internal warfare and the rise of the Nazis within Europe, who openly opposed Western values, had greatly weakened it;^[10] after World War II and the start of the post-colonial era, global institutions such as the United Nations were founded with a basis in Western values.^[11]

Western values have been used to explain a variety of phenomena relating to the global dominance and success of the West, such as the emergence of modern science and technology.^[12][13] They have been disseminated around the world through several mediums, such as through the spread of Western sports.^[14][15] The global esteem which Western values are held in has been considered by some to be leading to a harmful decline of non-Western cultures and values.^[16]

• European values
• Anti-Western sentiment
• Asian values