Why Western civilization is unique reference

When analysing human events and their significance on a recurrent time line basis it is necessary to predefine one's own value systems, the lens through which we look at them.

Western civilization provides this lens, as its a continuous ongoing pageant of human progress whose guiding principles have been very stable since its historical inception in Greece during the Vth century BC; when culture, history, mathematics, legal frameworks and democratic rule of the City were invented, often in dire moments of social and cultural upheaval where survival was at stake.

It bequeathed us two faces of civilized man : the Logic of Power and the Logic of Reason/Progress as antagonistic vectors defended by principals, men of substance, who faced each other in debate and decided the fate of of the nation.

It is this constant and recurrent debate between "top down- reason of State power logic" and "bottom up - people's desire for justice and equality" that has guided the evolution of western society like none other over two thousand five hundred years.

At no moment in its history has the voice of people been repressed by imperious voice of rulers over long periods of time. Neither logic has ever silenced the other. This is what makes Western civilization so unique, and why the tree of knowledge has never ceased to grow on its shores. The age of Enlightenment and its legacy have cast this principle in stone; as in this day and age Human Rights are now universally accepted principle.

But History also teaches us that human nature being what it is, nothing can be taken for granted for ever. "Always" is a dangerous word to use about human civilization. We stay in this political domain the sons of Sisyphus. Every generation has to play its part to nourish the tree of knowledge and progress. Regression is a constant danger in civilization.

That is why my own quest has relevance; climbing the torrid hill of our collective existence in this day and age is so appropriate, as the centre of gravity of political and economic world now moves from West to East, a fact of life that becomes all to clear to the more knowledgeable.

As a closing comment I would like to say that my posts are both in English and French. Both languages are the medium of communication on this blog. Please feel free to post in either if such be your desire. I am multicultural by inclination. It is a global environment on the Net!