>West has all the right to "pontification" since only the West has thus far delivered a high standard of living coupled with respect for human rights.

I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic. But I am sorry to inform you that "development" of the west was borne out or slave labour. It is just that simple.

The was did not get developed in the past 50 years. I know, it sounds so shocking, but it is true.

In 40 years when countries are going to be invaded for industrial pollution (that's if the concept o countries still exist) the "west" and people like you would be stating, " you can be developed industrially without polluting the environment".

The facts may be unpleasant, but they remain fact.

I am from Latvia. We did not own any colonies and we were slaves ourselves. But we are democracy and we are for rule of law. We have quite high standard of living. And this standard of living was not created by slave labour or oil. Don't fall for politicians who blame everything on West. You have been independent for some time already. Killing of people without a trial will not make Your country any better. It will make it worse.

Didn't think I'd have to scroll this far to see some sense. Thanks

In the last century The west has not only engaged in 1 but 2 global wars. Then topped that by holding the world hostage with nuclear annihilation. In addition to engaging in a variety of proxy wars in developing countries where they liked to install puppet dictators. All of this in the name of democracy.

And let's not even get started with the bullshit in the Middle East.

The west has no grounds to state they respect human rights when history clearly shows they do not.

Two wrongs don't make a right

If those wrongs were 100 years ago that may be the case. But they still perpetuate that violence, as can be shown in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Do as I say, not as I do?

Chile?