It is hard to think of a form of political community that requires so little allegiance from its members, proposes so few shared norms, and enforces so few behavioral guidelines. In nearly every aspect of our lives – morals, manners, sexuality, family structure, careers, and religious beliefs – we Westerners are essentially free to do as we like.
西方圣战者所叛逃离开的当代民主国家提供了前所未有的自由程度。很难想象那种形式的政治社会要求如此之少的成员忠诚、施加如此之少的共同规范、实施如此之少的行为准则。在生活中的几乎每一个方面——道德、礼节、性行为、家庭结构、职业和宗教信仰——我们西方人都拥有随心所欲的自由。