Imperialism by its essence is the overarching influence in the region, as the system of global hegemony. Other influences are subordinated and distorted that they conform to such hegemony.
The disparities between various regions, such as between Europe versus the Middle East, are directly a consequence of imperialism imposed by the former on the latter, not by either carrying an intrinsic superiority or deformity.
Bosses and bootlickers both demand our wariness.
Every region has a violent history, but the current political configuration in the Middle East is directly a consequence of Western imperialism, even while many among the Western populations carry a sense of smug self satisfaction.
Yes people still pretend that.
I don’t know where you live, that you think nobody pretends that.
American exceptionalism is alive and well.
The prevailing opinion, if not that the US remains as a functional democracy, that it once was functional as a democracy, but has become broken and in need of repair.
The pivotal question is when, if ever, did it ever even come close to fulfilling its own ideals as a democracy.
Support from the state is likely to vary based on local context and the current administrations.
No one should be naively hopeful.
It is most optimal to rely on labor organization for finding individuals with specific relevant experience.
Employers have all the power, though. It is they who may reliably hide behind the law for protection. Laws that protect employees are rare to be passed and rarer to be enforced.
Discussing wages is constructive in general, but I am afraid many workplaces remain lacking in adequate solidarity for the tactic to be successful.
Beware of those who will try to bring down others instead of helping to lift everyone together.
You also disregarded the examples you were presented.
I am emphasizing that the current global imperialist hegemon is the West, and that there has never been another, which are not controversial, nor diminished by any of your examples.
As explained, the backward situation in Iran was directly a reaction of earlier interference by the UK.
Finally, your arrogant tone is not contributing to an appearance of your being clever or informed.
Deeper in the past Muslim-majority states attacked the nearby fringes of the West, but the recent history is the West subduing most of the world as global imperialist hegemon.
It is the global imperialism of the West that directly accounts for reaction taking hold in such colonized regions.
We are talking about the current geopolitical configuration.
The argument presented is that in many Muslim-majority regions and states, the current political configuration is fundamentally a reaction to the imperialism and colonialism of the West.
Your examples are too deep in the past to be strongly relevant as antecedents to the current configuration, and also, fail in their attempt to paint Islam as exceptional.
The US was founded on slavery and genocide. When elections were implemented, four percent only of the population was granted suffrage, propertied white men.
I always wonder at what particular point the US is believed to have become democratic, since its founders clearly maintained a deep enthusiasm for racism, sexism, and aristocracy.