The last couple of centuries, Western Europe witnessed technological development and relative stability. Since the Napoleonic era, wars have been short, generally lasting only a few years. Afterwards, life returned to normal. This trend came to its ultimate climax after World War 2, granting Western Europe more than seven decades of continuous peace. This peace and stability has been an essential fundament to the rise of individualism. It was only once our grander conflicts ceased, that we could focus on our petty internal conflicts.
