[fatjokes]

> The western world didn't come from nowhere. People built it, and their successors should be able to reap the fruits of it, not have to flee to the developing world.

If the successors should reap the benefits, then should they also pay for the sins? E.g., continued restitution for slavery (which, while abolished has left deep racial scars in society) and for the genocide and forced displacement of the indigenous population (nobody exactly gave the land back).

Seems unfair to only reap the benefits, and then say the past crimes were committed by other people...

[tptacek]

The world would be better off exactly how, if we all shared New Delhi's standard of living?

[w1ntermute]

I think he meant that in a purely normative sense, in terms of Westerners having the birthright to a good life while being absolved of the atrocities committed by their ancestors so that the high living standards enjoyed nowadays in the West could be achieved.

[fatjokes]

yup. this is exactly what i meant.