I just needed to alert you to possible bias, in the seemingly innocent idea, that people of other faiths and cultures "appreciate the benefits of Western democracy and ways of life".
Democracy surely isn't Western, and the way of life in the US in particular has historically been spared the pain of global conflict on its soil, for complex reasons - it has however engaged in war on the original inhabitants, and a civil war.
The economic advancement of the US also relates to complex historical factors, a major pillar of which was the enslavement of Africans.
So yes, it is relatively comfortable in many aspects, but "Western democracy" is a dangerously loaded idea.
Juan, thank you for your analysis.
I just needed to alert you to possible bias, in the seemingly innocent idea, that people of other faiths and cultures "appreciate the benefits of Western democracy and ways of life".
Democracy surely isn't Western, and the way of life in the US in particular has historically been spared the pain of global conflict on its soil, for complex reasons - it has however engaged in war on the original inhabitants, and a civil war.
The economic advancement of the US also relates to complex historical factors, a major pillar of which was the enslavement of Africans.
So yes, it is relatively comfortable in many aspects, but "Western democracy" is a dangerously loaded idea.
Yours sincerely