You are German-speaking, right?
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Introductions, yes, covering just some aspects. But it was me from whom you heard that "contentious" remark (at least I said right that often enough), and I stick to it with regard to countries in other cultures and on other continents as well. There is no shortcuts for evolutionary development, and civilisations and societies that do not undertake certain steps, will be missing certain phases and achievments - for the better or worse then often is interpretation by those ending up in power.