The question of why the West has excelled in psychological, social, and economic realms has long been a focal point for researchers and thinkers worldwide. Why have Western societies achieved high levels of innovation and prosperity compared to other regions?

One of the most in-depth studies attempting to answer this question is Joseph Henrich’s book The Weirdest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly Prosperous. Henrich argues that one of the key factors contributing to Western superiority was the Catholic Church’s historical decision in the Middle Ages to prohibit cousin marriages, particularly among first cousins. At first glance, this decision might appear to be merely a regulatory matter, but it profoundly reshaped the social structure of European society.

Before this prohibition, most societies relied on extended families as the foundational unit of social and political identity. These large family groups formed the backbone of tribal systems, where familial ties determined social belonging and influenced all aspects of life, from marriage to work and even governance.

With the ban on cousin marriage, this tribal structure began to erode, giving rise to a new family model: the nuclear family. The nuclear family, consisting solely of parents and their children, fostered greater individual autonomy and diminished the extended family’s influence over individuals’ lives. This shift was not just a change in family structure but marked the beginning of a new model for social relationships. Without traditional tribal bonds, individuals were compelled to form relationships with strangers, promoting values of social trust that became foundational for building more cohesive and cooperative societies open to collaboration and innovation.

The rise of individualism in the West is one of the principal outcomes of this transformation in family and social structures. As tribal and familial influence waned, individuals gained greater freedom to shape their own professional and social paths. No longer bound by tribal traditions or the expectations of extended family, people were more willing to take risks and experiment with new ideas, spurring innovation and creativity.

Individualism also contributed to the development of new social structures such as universities and labor unions, which became platforms for education, scientific research, and collective action. This framework facilitated the flourishing of critical thinking, leading to the scientific and industrial revolutions that transformed the world. In this sense, individualism was not merely a social shift but the primary driver of innovation in the West.

Social trust, which emerged as a result of the breakdown of traditional tribal systems, played a pivotal role in shaping modern Western societies. High levels of trust between individuals make societies more capable of cooperation and innovation. For example, social trust enables contracts to be signed between different parties without the need for excessive state intervention. This trust reduces transaction costs, facilitates business, and fosters a spirit of collaboration.

Studies show that societies with high levels of trust tend to be more prosperous both economically and socially. This is evident in Europe when comparing northern and southern Italy. In the north, where laws prohibiting cousin marriage were stricter, corruption levels are lower, and social trust is higher than in the south, where extended families and the mafia still play dominant roles in daily life. This comparison illustrates how small social changes can have far-reaching economic and social consequences over time.

A major cultural difference between the West and the rest of the world lies in the concepts of guilt and shame. In Western cultures, guilt is seen as a personal feeling arising from violating moral standards an individual believes in. This sense of guilt fosters individual responsibility and motivates people to correct their mistakes and strive for change. In contrast, shame cultures in non-Western societies associate shame with violating social and collective values. In these cultures, honor is tied to an individual’s behavior and its impact on the family or tribe’s reputation, making individual identity closely tied to the group rather than personal achievements.

This fundamental difference in values significantly impacts individual and societal behavior. While guilt cultures encourage critical thinking and innovation, shame cultures focus on social conformity and adherence to tradition, which can limit creativity and change.

The Protestant Reformation played a pivotal role in reinforcing individual values in Western societies. By abolishing the Catholic priesthood’s authority, reading and writing became essential for individuals to interpret the Bible themselves. This led to the widespread dissemination of education and literacy, significantly contributing to the advancement of societies. The spread of education profoundly impacted Western culture, making knowledge a means of liberation and empowerment.

In contrast, for example, Islam reinforced tribal systems and shame culture. Islamic values, influenced by the tribal context of the Arabian Peninsula, emphasized loyalty to the group and obedience to traditional authority. While Christianity focused on individual salvation, Islam emphasized collective honor, reinforcing tribal social structures.

Furthermore, Protestant values instilled new concepts such as hard work and discipline, which bolstered innovation and productivity. These values are evident in countries heavily influenced by the Protestant Reformation, such as the United States, Canada, and Scandinavian nations. These societies achieved high levels of progress by closely linking individualism, education, and innovation.

With globalization, Western values like individualism and social trust have spread to many parts of the world. In some places, these values have positively influenced societies, encouraging innovation and progress. In the Arab world, however, the lack of trust between individuals without familial ties has perpetuated corruption and nepotism. Continued reliance on tribal and familial ties remains a barrier to building societies that promote cooperation and innovation.

The West’s ability to turn individualism and social trust into driving forces for innovation sets it apart. When individuals can rely on their capabilities and freely choose their life paths, they are more likely to think outside the box and experiment with new ideas. This innovative spirit has been the foundation of numerous scientific and technological achievements that have transformed the world. The industrial and scientific revolutions, which began in the West, were direct outcomes of this mindset.

It can be said that what makes the West exceptional is not merely natural resources or geographical factors but a system of cultural and social values that foster innovation and cooperation. These values, developed over centuries of historical and social change, offer valuable lessons for other societies aspiring to achieve progress.