Programa JLF Valladolid 2025

Why does the West always speak on behalf of the world?

Why the West Still Speaks for the World, Even When the World Disagrees

“The World condemns...” You hear this phrase often. But who exactly is "The World"? And why does it usually mean just a handful of countries in the West?

From wars to economic sanctions, from human rights to climate change—Western governments frequently speak as if they represent the whole planet. The truth? Many countries in the Global South and East don’t agree with these positions—and are never consulted. So why does this keep happening?

1. Historical Power Structures

Colonial Legacy

Western countries, especially in Europe and North America, held global power for centuries through colonization, military victories, and economic dominance. This history created a deeply embedded mindset—often unconscious—that the West is the world’s natural leader. Even after colonies gained independence, former colonial powers continued to act as guardians of international norms.

Post-WWII Institutions

After World War II, Western countries shaped global systems in their own image. Institutions like the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and NATO were formed under heavy Western influence. Though labeled “global,” these institutions often reflect Western priorities and values—especially regarding democracy, free markets, and liberal governance.

2. Control of Global Media and Narrative

The world’s dominant media agencies—BBC, CNN, Reuters, AP—are all Western. This means the news most people consume is filtered through a Western lens. Conflicts, protests, and crises are often framed from the perspective of Washington, London, or Brussels, not Jakarta, Nairobi, or Buenos Aires.

It’s not just news. Western dominance in Hollywood, academia, and think tanks also shapes the global narrative. What’s considered a “human rights violation,” a “terrorist threat,” or a “legitimate government” is often defined by Western discourse—and then accepted globally as objective truth.

3. Economic and Military Influence

Power speaks loudest in global politics. The U.S. and EU have enormous economic power and some of the world’s most advanced militaries. This allows them to impose sanctions, fund wars, or influence trade deals—often presenting their own interests as universal moral imperatives.

Take the example of economic sanctions: Western countries can block entire nations from accessing the global financial system. These moves are described as protecting democracy or human rights—but they often come at the cost of civilian suffering, especially in the Global South.

4. The “Civilizing” or Moral Superiority Complex

There’s a persistent belief among some Western leaders that their role is to “lead the free world” or act as moral guardians. They speak of promoting democracy, defending human rights, and maintaining the “rules-based international order.”

But this narrative falls apart when examined closely. From the Iraq War to supporting authoritarian allies, from arms sales to mass surveillance, Western countries frequently violate the very principles they claim to defend. This double standard isn’t lost on the rest of the world.

5. Exclusion of Alternative Voices

Perhaps the most damaging part of Western dominance is the exclusion of non-Western voices. Countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and even Eastern Europe are often dismissed as marginal players—even when they represent the majority of the global population.

On issues like Palestine, the Ukraine war, or climate justice, many nations have different perspectives—but those are frequently ignored or simplified. When Western media says “the world condemns,” what it usually means is “the West condemns.”

So Why Does the West Still Speak for the World?

Because power equals platform. Media, institutions, money, and military strength all contribute to the illusion that the West represents everyone.

But this is changing.

The rise of countries like India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa and others is beginning to challenge the Western monopoly on global narratives. Platforms like BRICS and South-South cooperation are growing. More nations are asserting their own policies, alliances, and values—and refusing to accept Western definitions of democracy or progress.

Still, until the global balance of power shifts more equally—until media is more decentralized and international institutions are reformed—the West will continue to act as if it speaks for the world.

Conclusion

It's Time to Let the World Speak

True global dialogue can’t happen if only a few voices dominate the conversation. Respecting the Global South perspective means accepting different histories, priorities, and paths. It means moving from a world where the West dictates to one where everyone negotiates.

The world doesn’t need a single spokesperson. It needs a roundtable.

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Tags: why west speaks for world, colonial legacy and global power, global south voice, decolonize world politics, western media control, international inequality, IMF and world bank criticism, multipolar global order, western hypocrisy in global affairs, global narrative shift

Explora Granada a Pie

Una Aventura Inolvidable entre Historia, Miradores y Tapas

Caminar por Granada es como abrir un libro de historia que cobra vida en cada esquina. No necesitas transporte ni mapas sofisticados. Solo necesitas tus pies, algo de agua, calzado cómodo y el deseo de perderte entre leyendas moriscas, aromas de jazmín y calles empedradas que susurran secretos del pasado. En esta guía, te invito a acompañarme en un recorrido real, de esos que te llenan el alma y te invitan a volver una y otra vez.

Un despertar en el corazón de Granada

La aventura comenzó temprano. Me alojaba en una pequeña pensión cerca de la Plaza Nueva, el punto de partida ideal para recorrer Granada a pie. Al salir, el aire matutino tenía ese frescor que solo las ciudades con historia transmiten. Los rayos del sol apenas comenzaban a tocar las fachadas rojizas de los edificios. Un café con leche y una tostada con tomate bastaron para llenarme de energía. Desde allí, decidí empezar por uno de los barrios más emblemáticos: el Albaicín.

Perderse en el Albaicín

Un laberinto blanco

Subí por la Calle Elvira y pronto me encontré inmerso en el laberinto del Albaicín. Calles estrechas, adoquines irregulares, puertas de madera envejecida y azulejos que contaban oraciones antiguas. Era fácil perderse, pero no importaba. Cada giro me regalaba una postal distinta: una fuente escondida, un gato dormido bajo la sombra de una buganvilla, un patio morisco abierto al público.

Tras varias curvas, llegué al icónico Mirador de San Nicolás. Y allí, como si fuera un cuadro, la Alhambra se mostraba en todo su esplendor, con Sierra Nevada aún coronada de nieve al fondo. El silencio del mirador, apenas roto por el rasgueo de una guitarra flamenca, me hizo entender por qué tanta gente se enamora de esta ciudad.

El Paseo de los Tristes y sus historias

Bajando por las escaleras del mirador, tomé el Paseo de los Tristes, una de las calles más bellas y melancólicas de Granada. A la derecha, el río Darro susurraba entre piedras; a la izquierda, bares con terrazas llenas de turistas, artistas callejeros y aromas de jamón y vino tinto.

Me detuve a escuchar a una mujer que contaba historias del lugar. Decía que el nombre "de los Tristes" se debía a que por allí pasaban antiguamente los cortejos fúnebres rumbo al cementerio. Irónicamente, ahora era uno de los lugares más alegres de la ciudad. Le di una propina y seguí caminando hasta llegar al inicio de la colina que lleva al Palacio de la Alhambra.

Subida a la Alhambra

La joya de Granada

La subida fue suave pero constante. La vegetación del bosque de la Alhambra me protegía del sol, mientras escuchaba a guías turísticos explicar las maravillas del monumento. Yo ya tenía mi entrada comprada y pude acceder sin hacer cola. Caminar dentro de la Alhambra fue como viajar al siglo XIV. Cada sala, cada arco, cada patio parecía hecho para detener el tiempo.

Los Palacios Nazaríes me dejaron sin palabras: detalles infinitos en las paredes, reflejos perfectos en las fuentes, frases en árabe que glorificaban la vida. El Generalife, con sus jardines cuidados y sus vistas al valle, fue mi parte favorita. Sentarse allí, simplemente observando, fue una de las experiencias más reconfortantes de mi vida.

Descanso entre tapas en el Realejo

Después de casi tres horas caminando por la Alhambra, mis piernas pedían una pausa. Bajé hacia el barrio del Realejo, antigua judería de la ciudad. Allí, en una taberna con vistas a una pequeña plaza, pedí una caña y me trajeron una tapa gratuita de berenjenas con miel de caña. En Granada, las tapas no se eligen, se regalan. Y eso, créeme, hace que cada comida sea una sorpresa.

El Realejo es menos turístico que el Albaicín, pero tiene una energía muy especial: paredes con grafitis artísticos, librerías independientes, tiendas de segunda mano, y mucha gente joven. Tras otro par de tapas, retomé el camino hacia otro de los lugares más auténticos de la ciudad: el Sacromonte.

Sacromonte

Cuevas, flamenco y vistas

La subida al Sacromonte es exigente pero muy recomendable. A medida que te alejas del centro, los sonidos cambian: hay menos coches y más pájaros. En el camino me crucé con señoras mayores vendiendo pulseras hechas a mano, con turistas cansados y con niños jugando entre los muros blancos. Las casas-cueva talladas en la roca son únicas. Muchas funcionan como museos o bares flamencos. Entré en una de ellas y pedí un té moruno mientras charlaba con el dueño sobre la historia del lugar.

La vista desde allí era increíble: toda Granada a tus pies, bañada en la luz dorada del atardecer. Esa imagen se me quedó grabada como una fotografía emocional. Prometí volver alguna noche para ver un espectáculo de flamenco en vivo dentro de una cueva, pero por ahora decidí volver al centro.

Atardecer en el centro histórico

Ya de regreso, pasé por la Calle Calderería Nueva, también conocida como "la calle de las teterías". Me detuve a comprar algunos dulces árabes y aceite esencial de jazmín. El aroma me acompañó hasta llegar nuevamente a la Plaza Nueva, donde el ambiente era otro: más luz artificial, más movimiento, más tapas.

Me senté frente a la Real Chancillería y observé cómo la ciudad cambiaba de ritmo. Los turistas se iban y los locales salían a pasear. Granada es una ciudad que vive de día, pero respira profundamente de noche. Decidí terminar mi recorrido en la Catedral, donde una misa vespertina le daba un tono solemne al lugar.

Consejos prácticos para tu ruta a pie por Granada

• Calzado cómodo: Las calles empedradas son hermosas, pero duras para los pies. Lleva zapatillas con buena suela.
• Evita el calor: Si viajas en verano, comienza tus caminatas temprano y descansa a mediodía.
• Reserva entradas: Especialmente para la Alhambra, que se agota rápido.
• No corras: Granada no se recorre, se saborea. Deja que la ciudad te marque el ritmo.
• Prueba las tapas: En Granada, cada bebida incluye una tapa gratuita. ¡Es parte de la cultura!

Reflexión final

Granada a paso lento

Granada no se entiende desde un coche ni desde un autobús turístico. Granada se siente bajo los pies, en el ritmo del paseo, en el roce de la historia contra la piel. Caminar por esta ciudad es vivirla intensamente, es dejar que el alma respire el perfume del pasado y que los sentidos se llenen de arte, sabor y emoción.

Si alguna vez necesitas reconectar contigo mismo, si buscas un lugar donde cada rincón te susurre una historia, ven a Granada. Pero no corras. Camina. Y déjate llevar.

How Europe's Smartphone Rebellion Is Reshaping Tech

What App Developers and Companies Are Doing Next

In the heart of Helsinki, inside a modest co-working loft, tech designer Lukas is rewriting code — not to make his app more addictive, but to make it less. He’s part of a growing wave of developers across Europe responding to an unexpected movement: young adults putting away smartphones. The goal is no longer to trap users in endless scrolling. It’s to help them log off, breathe, and maybe even disappear for a while.

The Challenge: What Happens When Users Stop Scrolling?

For the past decade, tech companies thrived on one simple metric: engagement. The longer you stayed on an app, the more ads you saw, the more data they collected. But with Gen Z and young millennials in Europe leading a quiet revolt against their devices, the engagement model is cracking.

As young adults turn off notifications, uninstall social media, and switch to dumb phones, companies are left asking a hard question: What now?

Mindful Design Over Addictive UX

Lukas and his small team are working on a new version of their productivity app, but this time with minimalist UI, no push notifications, and a built-in timer that logs you off after 20 minutes. “We want to build software that respects your time,” he explains. “That’s what the market is asking for now.”

This shift isn’t isolated. Across Europe:

• News apps are offering weekly digests instead of breaking alerts.
• Health and wellness startups are focusing on offline guidance rather than tracking everything via sensors.
• Education platforms are allowing printable worksheets and encouraging analog study methods.

From User Retention to User Respect

In Lisbon, a startup that once gamified language learning with daily streaks has now introduced a “pause mode.” If users miss a day, the app doesn’t guilt-trip them. Instead, it encourages balance. “We realized that shame wasn’t a motivator. Peace of mind is,” says co-founder Inês Martins.

Alternative Devices = Alternative Platforms

As more users switch to dumb phones and minimalist devices, tech companies must rethink access. Can your app work via SMS? Can users engage via email or desktop without push pressure?

In Berlin, a startup is exploring micro-courses that can be delivered via email or even printed PDFs. “We had to ask: how would we teach if smartphones didn’t exist?” says CEO Markus Frei. The result? A 30% increase in user satisfaction and higher conversion from free to paid subscribers.

> Searching: Apps for Dumb Phones | Minimalist Tech Trends in Europe | Offline-first App Design

Emerging Business Models

From Attention to Intention

Ad-based revenue models, reliant on high screen time, are under threat. But a new type of monetization is emerging — based on trust and value.

1. Subscription Models with Boundaries

Platforms like Calm and Headspace are offering “mindful subscriptions” — access without the guilt of not using it every day. “Use us when you need. Pause when you don’t,” reads their new onboarding message.

2. Digital Products with Physical Extensions

Some companies now bundle their app with analog tools: journals, workbooks, flashcards, or stickers. These products encourage screenless engagement, providing utility even when the phone is off.

3. Community-First Growth

Instead of paid ads, companies are partnering with real-life community spaces — yoga studios, libraries, and maker clubs — to host events and spread their message. The result? Word-of-mouth traction and loyal, intentional users.

Universities and Schools Are Also Changing

In France, universities like Sorbonne and Sciences Po have introduced “Digital Balance” seminars. Students are taught how to design healthy tech habits — and how to build apps that support those habits. Entire courses on ethical technology and slow design are being offered in Amsterdam and Prague.

Teachers report better concentration, stronger group discussion, and more participation from students since smartphones were banned from classrooms and replaced by printed notes and whiteboards.

Keyword Trail: Digital wellbeing in schools | Tech minimalism education | Slow design courses in Europe

Social Media Apps in Crisis — Or Evolution?

Major platforms like Instagram and TikTok are watching Europe closely. While their user numbers remain high, engagement per user is dropping in certain age brackets. Some changes being tested include:

• Time Capping by Default: Instagram tested auto log-off after 30 minutes in select European markets.
• “Silent Mode” as Default: A feature that blocks notifications during sleep or study hours.
• Private Feeds: Users can now create “off-grid” groups — no likes, no shares, just personal journals or friend-only threads.

“We have to evolve,” said a spokesperson from Meta’s EU division. “The next generation doesn’t want to be watched, nudged, or addicted. They want freedom.”

Can Tech Be Human Again?

In Stockholm, a grassroots conference titled “Humane Tech Now” attracted designers, developers, and students eager to rebuild digital tools from the ground up. The theme? “Less is more. Silence is power.”

Presentations included topics like:

• Designing for Offline Moments
• Building Profitable Tech That Doesn't Steal Time
• Creating Apps for 10-Minute Use, Not 10-Hour Use

The response was overwhelming — and the waiting list for the next event in Vienna is already full.

What It All Means

The rebellion against smartphones in Europe isn’t the end of tech. It’s the beginning of something better. Developers, companies, and even governments are waking up to a simple truth: users want freedom, not friction. They want apps that help them live, not apps that hijack their lives.

For the first time in decades, the success of a product might be measured not by how long it keeps you engaged — but by how gently it lets you go.

Conclusion

From Disconnection to Redirection

As Emma (from Part 1) walks into her analog art class in Berlin, she smiles at the handmade sign at the door: “No Phones. Just Paint, People, and Peace.”

Back in Helsinki, Lukas hits “deploy” on his minimalist app update. It’s designed to help users focus for 25 minutes, then log them off for the day.

“We used to chase retention,” he says. “Now we chase respect.”

Come on!