Why Has the West Been So Successful?

[jet57]

It seems likely that war for most of man's history war was engaged in for reasons that appear totally irrational to us. War as an affair of the state comes rather late.

It seems likely that war for most of man's history war was engaged

You're drooling again. Sad that you're lonely.

[jet57]

When you can't debate, attack the messenger seems to be your rule.

When you first came here, jet, you proclaimed that trolls demand proof for everything. You keep demanding proof. No one else is.

I've given everything you need to make intelligent discussion: wasn't it you who said to me: "no trolling posts please", and now YOU just troll because you can't grasp what's been explained to you.

When I first came here I demanded that Trolls , like yourself do two things: prove that they are right, and then prove that I am wrong. You've failed miserably on both counts. You act like a little kid with your finger up your nose, and your nursemaid - Mr. D, Opportunity Cost, Mr. Incredible keeps his nose up your ass to keep you stimulated.

If you can't read books or at the very least converse like an adult, then I'll treat you as such - every - time - you say - something.

How'z that.

[Chris]

I've given everything you need to make intelligent discussion: wasn't it you who said to me: "no trolling posts please", and now YOU just troll because you can't grasp what's been explained to you.

When I first came here I demanded that Trolls , like yourself do two things: prove that they are right, and then prove that I am wrong. You've failed miserably on both counts. You act like a little kid with your finger up your nose, and your nursemaid - Mr. D, Opportunity Cost, Mr. Incredible keeps his nose up your ass to keep you stimulated.

If you can't read books or at the very least converse like an adult, then I'll treat you as such - every - time - you say - something.

How'z that.

Where have I trolled, Jet?

You came out with a hypothesis, Diamond's, that accounted for the West's success as dependent on being geographically between the 30th and 60th parallels.

I have demonstrated, and you have helped me, to do so, that that is simply not true as a general hypothesis because there are many countries within those parallels that haven't been successful.

Face with that you turned to your usual trolling personal attacks.

You're just not very good at this.

And no, when you first came here, you declared that trolls always demand proof, which is what you do.

At this point I rest my case with my fellow readers and let them decide. Troll away.

[jet57]

Where have I trolled, Jet?

You came out with a hypothesis, Diamond's, that accounted for the West's success as dependent on being geographically between the 30th and 60th parallels.

I have demonstrated, and you have helped me, to do so, that that is simply not true as a general hypothesis because there are many countries within those parallels that haven't been successful.

Face with that you turned to your usual trolling personal attacks.

You're just not very good at this.

And no, when you first came here, you declared that trolls always demand proof, which is what you do.

Your responses have been crap! Western Europe sits exactly where I said it did, you asked "why has the west succeeded", and told you exactly how and cited my source, and all you've done is ask stupid childish questions that don't even come close to proving Diamond's work wrong. Moreover, you haven't even read the book, yet you still feel confident enough, with no knowledge whatsoever to say that the book is wrong!

You're a riot junior.

[Ransom]

There used to be a great show on the BBC called Connections. Essentially the series examines how modern technology and specific advancements are a result of previous discoveries, circumstances, chance and mistakes.

The show would examine specific advancements and inventions and trace their history through prior inventions, related technologies and even the ancient historical basis that was the foundation of modern technologies. Every advancement or invention is built on the cumulative knowledge and foundations of the past. For example, the rocket engine is only possible because of past advancements in chemistry, metallurgy, aviation and mathematics. In turn, each of those disciplines are built on generations of discovery, invention and advancement. The foundations of the space program that sent man to the moon started thousands of years ago. Without that history of discovery, it couldn't have happened.

Basically, that and circumstance and geography are the elements of Western success. Western success is a product of the historical happenstance that led to the intersection of cumulative historical knowledge, ideal climate, curiosity, ambition and luck.

In no way am I discrediting or diminishing the advancements of Western Europeans, but our success is due to thousands of years of knowledge, discovery and advancements coming together with elements like trade, war, greed, religion and genius. Throw in two virgin continents and the ability to make steel and you've got it made.

There is no one factor, person or event to thank for Western success. There are tens of thousands. Maybe more.

Tens of thousands is correct, factors more than one can count indeed. But there is a common denominator. You have great societies like Greek and Roman influence. You have language and arts. War and peace. Kings and Queens. Governments and empires. But the great advances in mankind do have common denominators, one of those being freedom. Societal systems that depend more on the innate human ability to change one's own outcome.

Individual freedoms....unleashing the human mind and spirit, any societal government or system that values individual rights over the government's is who prospers the most. Moving towards those freedoms, the Magna Carta, the US Constitution as examples are what is most influential. Look to the massive confrontations of western civilization, it hasn't all been roses and riches. An 8th century war with Muslims. 100 years wars. Napoleon's terror. English rule. Slavery. A US civil war. Two world wars so devastating they annihilated entire empires, the western world within itself has struggled to survive, never mind its' consistent threats from abroad.

Socialism has brought this world to the brink of destruction, America can never be a socialist nation. We are the shining light on the hill, we are the beacon of freedom. We fall...….and so does the entire western hemisphere. Now, I realize some people are too f'n stupid to understand that.....and that is why I remain in entertaining forums such as this......so as I can explain it to them.

Cuz...in our really cool forum......we got some.....well......uh...….yeah. I'll save my sanction for later, some will pick up what I'm putting down.

[Ransom]

I'll tell you what has not made the west successful, and that is little dweebs like Ben Shapiro.

Anyway, to answer the question, probably the biggest reason "the west" has been successful is its republican/democratic character. Specifically, its emphasis on political decentralization and civil liberty. Such emphasis could be seen even in western countries that had monarchies. Britain, for example.

Unfortunately, much of what made "the west" so successful is being subverted, destroyed, and abandoned by the insouciant, listless westerners who inherited the legacy of western civilization.

I'll agree with everything except for the last soapbox bullshiit Ethereal never seems able to omit. And that is nearly always so wrong.

[Ransom]

I've given everything you need to make intelligent discussion: wasn't it you who said to me: "no trolling posts please", and now YOU just troll because you can't grasp what's been explained to you.

When I first came here I demanded that Trolls , like yourself do two things: prove that they are right, and then prove that I am wrong. You've failed miserably on both counts. You act like a little kid with your finger up your nose, and your nursemaid - Mr. D, Opportunity Cost, Mr. Incredible keeps his nose up your ass to keep you stimulated.

If you can't read books or at the very least converse like an adult, then I'll treat you as such - every - time - you say - something.

How'z that.

They make decaf coffee you know.