Interesting paper. Interesting analysis.

You did mention that in the year 1000, the Islamic world was more civilized than Christian Europe. Not too many westerners like to bring up that fact.

The Renaissance was at least partially due to European contact with the Islamic world--and bringing back interesting ideas.

Societies rise and societies decay. These things move slowly. That's history repeating itself.

Maybe, some day, we can use that history to prevent the decay.

I liked your take on the ulamas becoming too involved in politics.