Pinker could be totally right, and have considered all pertinent variables, and that would be great. I'm all for it. And if that proves the ultimate benignity of the Western powers' hegemonic influence over much of the globe, that will be so nice for everyone, and  my skeptical agnosticism will be washed away by the rising tide of peace. Until then, I may retain some uncertainties.  

I'm not sure how one might prove the evolutionary significance of a trendline in real time. One may certainly hope, but history always seems to have another shoe to drop.