Before we can approach this question, we have to acknowledge that it is often asked in bad faith.
This question asks us to compare cultures without addressing how cultures are formed. Is it race? Religion? Geography? Genetics?
We must address that:
- Cultures change over time (in good and bad ways).
- The relative “progress” of a culture is affected by factors like war, colonization, disease, and natural disasters.
- Culture is affected by the quality, availability, and [control] of natural resources.
- Cultures are affected by other cultures, whether through exchange or conquest.
- People who have lived in areas with abundant resources, fertile land, lack of disease or dangerous animals have less obstacles to overcome.
If we compare cultures without addressing these factors, then cultures that have enjoyed wealth, power, and global dominance over the past few centuries (Western Cultures) are going to appear superior.
Once we realize that culture is not “inherent” to a people or place, we should begin to see that there is no point in comparing cultures to each other as a whole other than to sow division. Instead, we should discuss the specific circumstances that led cultures to develop in different ways.
If there are aspects of a culture that can be improved, we shouldn’t blame the people or the culture itself. Instead, we should ensure that the people of that culture have the time, space, resources, and safety to address issues on their own.
Claims
Technological Superiority
Technological advancement, like culture, is not “inherent” to a people, place, or culture.
How much a culture can innovate is affected by their environment. If the area they inhabit:
- Lacks vital resources like clean water, fertile land, building materials, or domesticable wildlife
- Has difficult terrain that have made transportation and long distance communication difficult
- Is home to dangerous diseases, animals, and parasites
Then people will not be able to innovate. Most of their time and energy will be spent on survival.
Technology is the result of collaboration across cultures. Gunpowder was famously invented by China and used by Europe to develop guns. Arabic numerals have become the basis of modern mathematics, helping lead important scientific discoveries and technological innovations all around the world. [algorithms]
Historians have found that technological innovation is not tied to a culture. Metal working and printing presses, for example, were invented in different places across the globe at around the same time.
Technological advancements in weaponry and war have played a significant role in cultural dominance. Technological superiority has also switched hands multiple times throughout history.
The invention of the gun gave Europe an enormous advantage over other countries. They used this technology to conquer, colonize, and destabilize other countries (the effects of which we still feel today). If another country had invented guns first, the world would be a very different place.
What about countries that practice bigotry on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, religion, etc.?
The vast majority of the world has not overcome bigotry. While the severity of the issue does vary across different parts of the world, every culture has its own history of social movements aimed at addressing these issues.
Every culture moves at its own pace because of social, economic, and political factors that either slow down or accelerate the progress of social movements.
In time, and with adequate support, we should hope to see significant strides against bigotry across the globe.