[WRhine]

The West was unique in that certain factors came together that enabled us to develop the society/culture that we currently enjoy. That being said, however, I don't think we have a monopoly on self-governance - these are principles that can taught/learned by anyone capable of understanding.

I guess we will find out soon enough!

I'll add that while there is no question as to the industriousness of Asians, their cultures are somewhat resistant to embracing notions such as human rights, diversity, and tend to be ethnocentric. This can adversely impact self-governance. And while Asian nations like Japan seem to have taken to democracy quite well, much of that I believe is due to America's strong influence on Japan.

[spintreebob]

HongKong, Singapore and similar cities of commerce are quite diverse ethnically even though they differ in social values. eg Hong Kong was quite libertine. Singapore quite conservative in terms of social values.

The question is whether a religiously diverse country like India can become a "big Singapore" or "big Hong Kong" or will it become a "Yugoslavia".