1. The Myth of Western Superiority
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The belief that Western political and economic models are universally superior and inevitable.
2. The “Clash of Civilizations” Myth
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That global conflicts are driven by cultural/religious differences rather than material interests.
3. The Nation-State as Natural & Stable
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The assumption that nation-states are organic, permanent entities rather than colonial constructs.
4. The “Democratic Peace” Theory
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The claim that democracies never fight each other, ignoring covert interventions and regime changes.
5. The “End of History” Fallacy
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That liberal democracy is the final stage of political evolution (Fukuyama’s debunked thesis).
6. The “Resource Curse” as Inevitable
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That resource-rich nations are doomed to fail, rather than victims of exploitation.
7. The “Terrorism” Narrative as Objective
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The selective labeling of armed resistance as “terrorism” while ignoring state violence.
8. The Neutrality of International Institutions
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That the UN, IMF, and WTO are impartial rather than tools of power politics.
9. The “Humanitarian Intervention” Justification
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That military interventions are primarily about saving lives, not strategic interests.
10. Globalization as Inevitable & Beneficial
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That globalization is a natural force that benefits all, rather than entrenching inequality.
11. The Myth of American Exceptionalism
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The idea that the U.S. is uniquely virtuous in its foreign policy.
12. The “Defensive” Nature of NATO
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That NATO exists purely for defense, not expansionist power projection.
13. The “Free Market” as Truly Free
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The illusion that global capitalism operates without state intervention or coercion.
14. The “Rise of China” as a Threat
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The Western framing of China’s growth as inherently destabilizing rather than a natural power shift.
15. The “Failed State” Label as Neutral
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That state collapse is due to internal flaws, not external interference or colonialism.
16. The Myth of “Good” vs. “Bad” Dictators
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That some autocrats are tolerated (or installed) based on geopolitical utility.
17. The “Benevolent Empire” Myth
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That historical empires (e.g., British) brought progress rather than exploitation.
18. The “Islamic Threat” Narrative
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The exaggeration of political Islam as a monolithic danger.
19. The “Permanent War on Terror”
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That endless counterterrorism is necessary, rather than a pretext for control.
20. The “Neutrality” of International Law
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That laws like the UN Charter are applied equally, not selectively enforced.
21. The Myth of “Economic Development” as Linear
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That all nations must follow the Western capitalist model to progress.
22. The “Technology as Liberating” Myth
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That technological advancement naturally leads to freedom, ignoring surveillance and control.
23. The “Cultural Imperialism Doesn’t Exist” Myth
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The denial that Western media and education shape global narratives to maintain dominance.
24. The “There Is No Alternative” (TINA) Myth
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That neoliberal capitalism is the only viable system, suppressing ideological diversity.