Is the Middle East Backwards? Or Are We Backwards for Thinking So?

This question has been posed on a variety of subjects in my Politics of the Middle East class and it's challenging to answer.  America is involved with many countries in the Middle East, as both protagonist and antagonist, and it seems as though our mission is to 'change' this region of the world and democratize it.  The Western world's view of a progressive society is one that eventually ends in democracy.  The only issue with this mission, however, is that the Middle East has never been primed for democratic lifestyle.

The history of this region has seen rule from some of the most powerful empires in world history such as the Ottomans, Safavids, etc.  Under these empires, citizens of the region were just subjects.  The Ottomans were admittedly progressive with the liberties that its governors allowed for their subjects but nonetheless, democracy can't thrive in an empire.  As World War I ended and the Ottoman Empire was disassembled, the Middle East became the new hotbed for Western colonial rule.  Great Britain and France carved up the region to their liking (and with a complete disregard for the people living there) and developed an influence that would hold tightly until the likes of Nasser and Gaddafi pushed them out.  Once again, no democracy under colonial rule.

And now in the present day, with the Middle East being the largest exporter of oil in the entire world, we see one dimensional economies with either kings or regimes ruling over the state.  Oil acts as the main hindrance to democratic government, as the state receives revenue from oil sales and therefore does not require for citizen taxes.  No Taxation... No Representation (so don't complain about being taxed America).

With all of these opponents to democracy, though, several countries have seen pleasant ruling at times under regimes.  When citizens do not like the regime they are under, well then you see what we are witnessing now: the Arab Spring.  No one knows what will come of the numerous social uprisings and upheavals of dictators but there is a slim chance that democracy will form because of it.  Arabs are not accustomed to democracy, the Koran and Sharia does not call for it, and they've never been exposed to it, so it may not be our responsibility to try and 'change' these seemingly 'backward' countries.