exploitation

We tend to sweep under the rug the crippling effects that imperialism had on a lot of non-Western countries. Most of the imperialists didn't give a rat's ass about the places they conquered- they just exploited whatever resources they wanted and left the people with nothing. Not to mention redrawing borders so as to maximize tribal differences and conflict (especially in Africa).

Now I don't consider the West pure evil for doing this- countries of all sorts have been conquering and pillaging for centuries before. But I do also empathize with the devestating effects that Western imperialiam has had on non-Western countries- something that a lot of these countries have only just recently escaped from. Just as the West is not uniquely evil, the non-West is not somehow inferior- it's just been through a lot of shit lately.

And let's not forget that places like Africa and the Middle East have been bastions of civilization long before Europe was even a blip on the cultural radar. We are in no position at all to be calling these guys inferior.

Everything you say. Sure, a lovely country....but remember, the "T" in TPS stands for "temporary".