Sen challenges the idea that democracy is a purely "Western" concept. (In fact, the concept of Western ideas is itself an oversimplification of a complex tapestry of culture and regions.) Sen advocates for a broader view of democracy as not just balloting but rather as an open public dialogue and reasoning among all members of societies. In this way, democracy can be seen all throughout the world from ancient times to present. While ancient Greece did in fact begin the formal balloting process we see today, regions to its east (as opposed to the west), were both influenced by Greece and did in fact practice democratic processes in the broader sense. He urges we not view the "Middle East" or "Arab world" as historically and culturally incompatible with democratic practices. He points out how Muslim kingdoms centered around Cairo, Baghdad, Istanbul, Iran, India, and Spain exhibited tolerance for diverse views compared to Europe. Lastly, Sen asserts that even if a region may have had a more undemocratic history and culture, that doesn't mean it cannot and should not change, aligning with Sen's overarching thesis of democracy's universal applicability and adaptability.