I guess I define best by asking myself if I’d prefer at this moment to live in any other system. Not really. Longer civilizations existed but they subsisted off of imperialism, sacrifices to the gods, and slavery. They made marginal improvements but did not expand median life expectancy to the extent our democracies did either. The number of rights attained in such a short time for disenfranchised groups is also unparalleled.
Despite what people complain about wars, we are actually living in some of the most peaceful times in human history – again much of this is thanks to the imperfect improvements of Democracy.
I guess I define best by asking myself if I’d prefer at this moment to live in any other system. Not really. Longer civilizations existed but they subsisted off of imperialism, sacrifices to the gods, and slavery. They made marginal improvements but did not expand median life expectancy to the extent our democracies did either. The number of rights attained in such a short time for disenfranchised groups is also unparalleled.
Despite what people complain about wars, we are actually living in some of the most peaceful times in human history – again much of this is thanks to the imperfect improvements of Democracy.