Germany, Europe, the West, the Paradigm, the Clusterfuck

It takes a long, long time to get to know a place. So much dedication and persistence is required. Or it could take a short, short time, depending on the depth one requires to move around freely and with confidence. I am too observant and unsure sometimes.
I need to take stock of this life. I feel like the privilege to travel far requires some stocktaking and reevaluation of my life as I know it.
Germany is a dramatic place, and a solemn place. But, what we ever know of place is circumscribed by who it is we know well.
The perspective that seems to dominate those who can perpetuate a dominant discourse is that of democracy, capitalist free markets, social liberalism, and borders and self-determination of peoples. Certain peoples.
What was said so elegantly by me just know?
Our paradigm and knowledge of the world is a product of NOW, of situated knowledge, regardless of how far we have travelled. Learning another language, living abroad and being challenged emotionally and mentally are keys to understanding. Well, it’s the only thing a single person can do.
What I was trying to say is that our terms, in English, on CNN, on BBC are presented as part of an “international” discourse. It is my suspicion that these are discourses not participated in by many peoples, states and authorities. Gatekeeping is a great term for this exclusion and this rush to be part, to be included, to be seen as legitimate and being able to participate in the democracy discourse. But, when one is a member of the groups that struggle for legitimacy, to be included, supported, to be offered a place at the table, that is not an equal position, and, naturally, this eliminates whatever suggestions or ideas being proposed from those who are “given” legitimacy and “offered” a place.
I am not arguing that those “outside” this western discourse of democra-capitalism should be offered regardless of anything a place at the table, but merely want to point out this inherent inequality.
For those who talk about bringing democracy (the Bush years) to the Middle East or establishing women’s or workers’ rights in whichever third world country participate in this. Good intensions and not listening to “recipients” of democracy or liberal social reforms. No one knows if different forms /alternatives to these structures and ideologies would have formed without this dominant “international” discourse, but such is the story of history.