To answer the question posed it is necessary to first consider development and what constitutes the West. Once we achieve this, we will be able to discuss Westernism. However, the concept of Orientalism, and what constitutes the Orient, will be considered first since, arguably, Orientalism gave rise to Occidentalism. Next, the four key characteristics of Westernism, identified by Buruma and Margalit (2004), will be discussed. Contemporary notions of Westernism, more specifically Islamic extremism, will also be studied; of key importance here is whether, or how, Buruma and Margalit's (2004) theory of Occidentalism aids our understanding of the perspective of those who resist the West. From 1815 to 1914, direct European colonial rule expanded from about 35% of the earth's surface area to about 85% of it. All continents were affected, especially Africa and Asia (Said in Hall and Gieben 1992: 329). During the age of exploration and conquest, Western countries discovered a growing internal cohesion developed by conflicts and contrasts with the outside world. Reinforcing each other, they forged a new sense of identity, the West (Hall and Gieben 1992:289). Gradually, despite their many internal differences, Western European countries began to conceive of themselves as a single civilization, known as the West (Hall and Gieben 1992:289). The challenge posed by Islam was an important factor in shaping Europe and developing the idea of ​​the West. Europe's cultural identity was originally characterized by religion and civilization, over time Europe developed a more precise geographical, political and economic definition; closer to the modern secular concept of the West (Hall and Gieb...... middle of paper ......uin Books, New York.Carrier, J. (1995) Occidentalism, images of the West, Oxford: Oxford University Press.Jacques, M. (2004) Raising the anti, something missing in Ian Buruma and Avishai Margalit's study of enmity towards the West, The Guardian, Saturday 4 September.http://www.guardian. co.uk /books/2004/sep/04/societyHall, S. and Gieben, B. (1992) Forms of Modernity: Understanding Modern Society, Cambridge: Polity Press.Observer (2003) Chains of Hostility: Occidentalism: A Brief History of Anti-Westernism, 14 October 2004.Olsen, E. (2004) Buruma on Occidentalism: Great Diagnosis, Terrible Remedy Share.Sardar, Z. (2004) Why They Hate Us: A Brief History of Anti-Westernism UK: Newstatesman. Silvers, R. (2002) Occidentalism, by Ian Buruma and Avishai Margalit, New York: The New York Review of Books.