We tend, these days, to use the term, "critic" as meaning someone who is censorious. However, its true meaning is, "someone who passes judgement." That judgement may well be favourable, rather than adverse.
That being so (assuming that you will allow me this point?) then I agree with Jackie.
I guess most writing for a general audience (in other words, leaving out writing that is for a limited, specialist audience), be it for entertainment or for information, is going to be based on an observation of society. Indeed, comedy doesn't work unless it is based on a wry look at society. This is, in a very real sense, a criticism of society. And that criticism may just as well be favourable as adverse.
That said, I really don't see that authors needs to be bound by any "rule", or even an exectation, that their work should deal first with their own society before they may deal with societies further afield. I cannot see any particular merit in such behaviour.

I'm immortal until proven otherwise