and when you acknowledge that we Muslims forgot the human rights standards we once held, it shows you are a fair-minded, unbiased person.
Anyhow, everything has gone around in turns. Right now, the distinction between "East" and "West" is becoming obsolete, anyway. The post about relative weapons expenses was revealing. Soon to be formerly "western" countries took over the world by force and fraud, but they have also been able to maintain their strength by superior social and political organization that encourages excellence among people and makes use of what people have to offer. Our Muslim countries today seem to be organized on the basis of monopolization, suppression of competition, the entrenchment of status, corruption, etc. The best and brightest have either been destroyed or have gone to the west where there is opportunity to develop their talents and be productive.
But, economics, politics, and military power are only some aspects of civilization. People can easily be barbarians and at the same time rich, powerful, and under a stable government (for a limited time). Ultimately, civilization is adab.