Europe, for example, seems to be rather oriented towards diplomacy then to fighting to solve problems. At least this is my personal perception.
Really? I dont think it can be generalised this way. Nowadays population is heavily influenced by mainstream media, marketing, political or econonical lobby with primitive black/white logic - "you are our enemy/idiot/communist if you dont do what we want/dont think as we want..." etc. And this influence is present also in Europe. But its a little off topic on gaming forum.
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About diplomacy - I think for a long time that its overlooked element in RPG genre. As in real life - fighter can be powerful, but he is only one. Good diplomat can have whole army... I imagine that there is no need to see all "modern fantasy heroes" as valiant knights/paladins/great mages. If they stand against strong foe leading an army they could act also as a cunning diplomats to raise an oppresion, find help, make alliances or to prepare a trap for an enemy.
