Relax, Western values are not under threat, just Western dominance

The West's dominance in the world was not achieved through the superiority of its ideas, values, or religion, but rather through its superior application of organized violence. This is a fact often overlooked by Westerners, but never forgotten by non-Westerners. Recently, there has been a surge in headlines and stories expressing panic over the perceived threat to Western democratic values. A group of revisionist actors, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, are purportedly intensifying their efforts to deliberately disrupt and undermine Western security and economic freedom. Some even claim that Western civilization is being destroyed by uncontrollable forces.

Many Western leaders and pundits appear to be in a state of panic. However, the exact nature of their alarm is often unclear. Are they suggesting that non-Western governments, cultures, and societies are actively challenging and subverting Western values, or merely rejecting them? Are they asserting that Western values are universal, and therefore, rejecting them equates to a rejection of civilization and an embrace of barbarism? At this juncture, it would be pertinent to identify the specific values that our Western pundits and politicians are so concerned about.

For the purpose of this discussion, let's identify the rights enshrined in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights as both universal and Western rights. However, there is also a UN version of labor and economic rights, which is more frequently championed by China and other developing countries in the Global South. Aren't rights such as equality of economic opportunity also fundamental? After all, an economically deprived individual cannot fully exercise his or her political rights as a citizen in a wealthy and democratic country. Why is this so? Simply observe the legions of homeless individuals in major cities across North America and consider whether the principle of 'one person, one vote' holds any significance for them.