Modern Philosophy And The Arab Spring

It occurs to me that the Arab Spring is an eloquent and apposite illustration of the validity of the philosophical theories of Karl Popper and his views on the free society. Central control can only subsist for so long before it begins to feed on itself and devour its own body and consume its own seed-corn. I am carrying out some modest research for a philosopher friend of mine who does not want to be named(no superinjunction involved, though) and who is writing a book about 20th century philosophers and their earlier roots. My part involves Schopenhauer about whom I know a fair amount arising from 25 years of study. Schopenhauer is arguably the most influential philosopher in the last 200 years, albeit partly via others who were influenced by him and in turn exercised significant impacts of their own. A few short observations. Schopenhauer is one of the very few European philos overtly influenced by Eastern culture and religious and philosophical beliefs. The proviso and distinction have to be acknowledged that eastern religions and philosophies are not, like those of the West, history-based systems of belief. Christianity, for example, is rooted in a belief in historical events or at least a version of them.If you are a Christian you must believe that certain events took place in the Middle East some 2000 years ago.The great religions of the East, like Hinduism and Buddhism, have their own stories to tell about their founders but their principal focus and defining characteristic is contingent on their philosophical or quasi-philosophical doctrines. The doctrines are what count as well as the effort by their exponents to live in accordance with their moral precepts. Since the Eastern religions have traditionally been more philosophical, philosophy has been able to develop more freely in the East over the centuries in my own opinion. I have never seen this view expressed elsewhere but it seems to me that the Eastern approach to philosophy is consequently more independently interesting.
It is only in the last 200 years that Western philosophers have engaged with Eastern thought and it was Schopenhauer who acted as the conduit, some would say the lightning conductor for the initial engagement and cross fertilisation. I could go on at some length on the ramifications but a large selection of books exist on it for those interested. In any case, I wouldn't know where to stop.