User:MacRusgail/Borealocentrism

Borealocentrism refers to an alleged practice, conscious or otherwise, of placing emphasis on northern hemisphere concerns, culture and values at the expense of those of other cultures.

It originates mainly because the bulk of the world's landmass is in the northern hemisphere - including Eurasia, North America, and a large part of Africa. The claim is that borealocentrism discriminates against people in South America, much of Africa, and Australasia (Antarctica has no permanent population, of course). One method of challenging this, albeit somewhat humourously, is the reversed map - which is sometimes used to demonstrate our critical thinking skills.

The richest nations, i.e. North America, Europe, and north east Asia tend to be in the north of the planet, with obvious exceptions such as Australia and New Zealand. (A bucking of the trend may be seen in South America, and Africa, though where the wealthier countries of the continents tend to be in the temperate south, rather than the tropical north of the continent, e.g. Argentina, Chile and South Africa.) This leads to charges similar to those of Eurocentrism, and the term "the South" has been used to describe what is otherwise known as the "Third World" or "Developing World".

Attackers of perceived "borealocentrism" may also point towards the exclusion of southern civilisations such as the Incas, Munhumutapa Empire, Polynesian and Easter Island cultures.