A lot of big talk recently from people appointing themselves defenders of “the West” and “Western values.”

This is identity politics, which I generally find to be useful for little other than provoking conflict. But I will say that a belief in universal human rights, liberty, and self-determination are deeply “Western” values. The great thing is, they are also “Eastern” values and “Northern” values and “Southern” values—because they are universal.

Universalism does not mean you’re not from somewhere. It means you are translating universal values into the cultural practices, norms, and languages of wherever you are from. Any people can make universal values their own. Human rights, liberty, and self-determination don’t look the same everywhere—and that is the beauty of human freedom. People can define and redefine what their values mean based on their own local contexts and needs.

It is vitally important for world peace that the peoples of the world embrace universal values without demanding that they look the same everywhere. This means less big talk about values and more living them.

We can do this! 🌎🌍🌏🗺️