Here
http://awanderingconfluence.com/blog/_archives/2005/1/18/259625.html
To me, the most important thing about Western civilization, and this comes from Judeo-Christian philosophy, is the concept of being endowed by a creator with rights. Each person has intrinsic value not connected to station in life, personal talent, etc. Different countries have approached this idea in different ways. I happen to think that our Founding Fathers got it right all the way down the line and that is why we are the most prosperous and, at the same time, most generous nation on earth.