I wrote "Democracies tend not to pick fights" because I knew someone would mention either the US or the UK. Of course the US is democratic, however it is also

I wrote "Democracies tend not to pick fights" because I knew someone would mention either the US or the UK. Of course the US is democratic, however it is also a super power and until recently was a trusted keeper of the peace (securing blue ocean, trade routes, etc). The US is not really a valid counter example to my main point as its sui generis.