'Never' is a very L-O-N-G Time.
I would not say that 'Western values' of Democracy, pluralism, Capitalism, rule of law, respect for religion, etc., will not penetrate every part of the world and eventually become the norms all over.
Like Ronald Reagan, I believe in the APPEAL of such ideas.
But the 'West', too, had to fight long and bloody religious wars before respect for religious pluralism won out --- and narrowly, at that. We STILL have problems with religious bigotry and fundamentalists and others wanting to IMPOSE their particular religious views on society as a whole. The battle for freedom is not *completely* won anywhere.
And, the march of Democratic government and respect for the individual's rights vs. the demands of a ruler is a global battle that is 'two steps forward, one step backwards' too.
Even HERE the victory is not totally secure at all, (the specter of an Authoritarian Hegemon is always with us....) |
