Eurocentrism is a cultural and intellectual phenomenon that views the histories, cultures, and values of the world primarily from a European or Western perspective, often implying the superiority of European ways over non- European societies. It centers Europe as the origin and standard of modernity, progress, and civilization, sometimes dismissing or minimizing the contributions and experiences of non-Western societies. Eurocentrism is not confined to Europeans but can also be internalized by non-Western people who adopt Western perspectives as modern or advanced. This worldview has roots in historical periods like the Renaissance and colonialism and continues to shape international relations, knowledge production, and social hierarchies today.
Eurocentrism can manifest in various domains such as history, politics, culture, and knowledge systems, and it often carries implicit or explicit assumptions about European superiority and non-European inferiority. Critiques of Eurocentrism highlight how it shapes concepts like sovereignty, civilization, and development, frequently ignoring or erasing non-Western histories and perspectives.