Differences with Our Timeline (Vegetarian World)

Below are some differences between the and Our Timeline (OTL). This does not delve into the history (see or the culture of individual countries (see their individual pages), but instead deals with trends and global cultural traits that differ.

Militaries
The used technology that was relatively comparable to OTL World War II, but in some ways, war-making was somewhat "less-developed". For instance, there was much less thought put into creating nuclear weapons, and so even to this day, there are no nuclear weapons. There are strict bans on creating weapons of mass destruction (much stricter than in OTL), and if a country is known to have tried out one, it would face automatic sanctions and a military response concentrated on the factory that is thought to have created it. In OTL, although a few countries have nuclear weapons, the vast majority don't. This is partly because of smaller militaries and much less money allocated to them, as well as an idea that the international community won't take such an overture kindly. Such is the case in the Vegetarian World, but this applies to even the largest militaries (which are much smaller than any of the major OTL militaries). Currently, nuclear weapons still only exist in theory.

After OTL World War II, there was quite a wide divergence between the two world. In our timeline, missiles were the main focus for various reasons. One reason is that nuclear weapons had to be delivered to far-off places if need be. A second main reason was that jets took over from propeller planes, and because of their faster speed and maneuvering, they were harder to hit with bullets. Also, there was a "Space Race" between the USSR and the United States, which helped all kinds of missiles develop. In the Vegetarian World, though jet planes became the norm, neither nuclear weapons nor a space race were realized. (In fact, 1986 was the year of the first moon landing, which was an international effort. The first person to walk on the moon was an Indian woman.)  Thus, missile technology significantly lagged behind, especially to deliver warheads. Guided bombs have been successful, but guided missiles have not really "taken off". Instead, other technologies have been focused on instead. Magnetic Accelerator Guns (MAGs) have been perfected to a much greater extent than in OTL. These include railguns and coilguns, including mass drivers.

These guns are often used on large ships, including battleships. Battleships are still used in the Vegetarian World, though the super-dreadnoughts of the Pan-Global War have been replaced with somewhat smaller ones. The number of people on a capital ship is miniscule compared to that in the days of OTL WWII. Many systems are controlled by computers, and are automatic (as is the case with the OTL "CIWS"). MAG automatic weapons systems are used prolifically on battleships, and can detect and destroy torpedoes, missiles, and aircraft that pose a threat. The range is actually much farther than that of the OTL CIWS, because the bullets, themselves, travel at between 4 and 5 times the speed of OTL bullets. These bullets and the tracking systems guiding them are quite good at shooting down aircraft (even at relatively high altitudes and speeds). One more reason why missiles have a much smaller role is that militaries do not nearly have the money they have in OTL (populations are much smaller, leading to much less tax revenue. In addition, most people and governments have a non-proliferation stance, and more taxes are used for environmental, educational, artistic, and other areas.  MAGs are fearsome weapons, with great defensive (and somewhat more limited offensive) abilities, and they are much cheaper than missile systems.  Thus, they are the perfect weapons for a non-aggressive, defensive, and less-funded militaries inhabiting the Vegetarian World.

Note: The above describes the largest and most modern militaries. Most nations do not have these abilities.

Art
Nearly every culture on earth in the Vegetarian World appreciates art, and do not turn their back on traditional skills. Nearly all architecture created in the Vegetarian World relates some way in style to centuries-long traditions. In the styles of the Occident, for instance, Keystones, even if not needed to support a structure, for example, are often used above windows. Windows often have circular tops, from which lines radiate out, and then change direction to become horizontal. Columns with decorated capitals are also frequently seen. These are just a few of the much-used small details still extremely popular in modern buildings, which have spread throughout the world.

Paintings considered fine art (and thus purchased at high prices and put up in major museums) are still realistic. Abstract artwork is produced in small volumes, and those works that are produced in that style do not earn any kind of awards or special praise. They are merely decorative, as are patterns. "Photorealism" is a major stream of art, and thought of as the pinnacle of realistic art. However, impressionism and other styles are similarly liked. All artists who get a certificate in almost all universities and such must be able to produce art that is realistic to a minimum extent. If not, they cannot be professional artists. (Of course, without an official certificate, anybody is still free to produce and sell any kind of artwork s/he desires.)