Depends how deep you look at "Western world" concept.
In comparison with Middle Eastern cultures, Asian, African, Native American etc... All the Europeans and descending societies (in Australia, USA, Canada and some others) share the same values and views on the world, and together are very different from the listed above (you should read about basic concepts - views on time, space, role of humans in history, basics of laws, relations in family and norms of behaviour in public etc... On daily basis we do not think about this kind of stuff. It requires high level of abstract thinking, scientists usually do that).
As for more detailed view, even twins are slightly different. People living in hundreds and thousands of km from each other will be different too.
And, yes, there is long tradition in Western Europe not to consider Eastern Europeans as Europeans and equals. Hitler's views on Eastern Europeans as underhumans were epitome of that tradition. Some parts of it are still alive.
First of all their culture especially and economy is what sepperates them from the West. This question is totally backwards, and what exactly do you mean by religion? Bosnia is majority Muslim while Serbia and Ukraine are not and Russia is NOT aligned with the West at all in fact I think you can say the rest of E. Europe falls into that boat as well. I think it is a good thing that these ntions are not really Western. However, I do think that Romania and Poland are Western but that's mostly because of mindset and politics.
I live in Hungary which is in the heart of Europe. They really have only been open to things outside since 1989.
I have to say sadly that most people here have a twisted way of thinking about what real freedom is. They only see the freedom to lie cheat and steal and to do whatever they feel like with no reguard for others rights. I am an American married to a born Hungarian and have visited HU off and on since 1978.
Many people here watch tv shows from the west without fully understanding what they are watching, they really think being a gangster is cool and on one hand think minorities are cool while on the other hand they say and act racist. They often times don't even know they are being racist.
I feel they need another 40 or 50 years to unload the BS from their collective DNA and the brainwashing their parents and grandparents received and passed on to them.
I have have family living in SE Poland, met them and honestly they were more open minded then what I experience from many people here in Budapest, a large city.People here will take advantage of anyone for a profit without a second thought.If learning to be a crook is what the west has taught them then I think they were better off before the wall came down. At least back then people had jobs, a place to live and felt like they were part of something, these days they are as confused as people in the west are. Believing money will solve every problem.
In the contemporary cultural meaning, the phrase "Western world" includes Europe
No, and some people in Western Europe don't even regard them as being part of Europe since most of them aren't EU members (strange, I know). The greater levels of economic instability in East Europe are also distinguishing factors when comparing them to Western society
We don't wanna be western. We love our unique culture, traditions and customs.
Well, the West is approaching towards East so abruptly...
