British Empire - Good or Bad?

[Ostroeuropa]

Personally I think it was a good thing.
Here are a few links arguing both for and against however.
I'm more interested in foreign perceptions.


GOOD:
http://www.adequacy.org/stories/2001.7. ... 0.148.html

BAD:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 818AANCTPL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1890_British_Ultimatum


I'll be adding links as i find them.

[Landfordshire]

Based on what merits?

[Ostroeuropa]

Whether if the british had decided to just stay on the island not go exploring, would the world be better or worse off

[Greed and Death]

Good they civilized the world, I demand the UN order the Brits reestablish their empire.

[Blazedtown]

Good they civilized the world, I demand the UN order the Brits reestablish their empire.

The British Empire spread Anglo culture and civilization. It spread industry and commerce, while fostering ideals like individual liberty and parliamentary democracy.

[H-Alba]

The British Empire was bad. I don't even like the term "British".

All the British Empire ever was, was forcing Anglo Culture on others, including their neighbours at home.

[Ostroeuropa]

The British Empire was bad. I don't even like the term "British".

Care to elaborate?

[H-Alba]

The British Empire was bad. I don't even like the term "British".

Care to elaborate?

All the British Empire did was spread English culture around the world. I am glad the world is the way it is today, yes. And I wouldn't want to go back to change it. I think there were more effective ways then building an empire.

As for my second statement I feel the term British is unfair. When people say British then tend to mean English, and the "other Brits' are left out in "British Culture".

[Ostroeuropa]

Care to elaborate?

All the British Empire did was spread English culture around the world. I am glad the world is the way it is today, yes. And I wouldn't want to go back to change it. I think there were more effective ways then building an empire.

As for my second statement I feel the term British is unfair. When people say British then tend to mean English, and the "other Brits' are left out in "British Culture".

The empire also forced open new markets, spread democracy and bureacracy (Which sucks but is better than tribalism) and trains.
TRAIIIINS

So what'd you prefer as a term to refer to the whole island?
English?
I'm welsh for the record.

[H-Alba]

All the British Empire did was spread English culture around the world. I am glad the world is the way it is today, yes. And I wouldn't want to go back to change it. I think there were more effective ways then building an empire.

As for my second statement I feel the term British is unfair. When people say British then tend to mean English, and the "other Brits' are left out in "British Culture".

The empire also forced open new markets, spread democracy and bureacracy (Which sucks but is better than tribalism) and trains.
TRAIIIINS

So what'd you prefer as a term to refer to the whole island?
English?
I'm welsh for the record.

I'm going to be honest, I would prefer to live in Scotland pre-Highland Clearances. I prefer the old Clan System, and the old Gaelic Lifestyle over the one we live today. But, as I said the past cannot be changed and I am thankful for New Zealand being created (I *love* New Zealand).

I would prefer the island itself be referred to as Britain, or even Albion (kidding, well sort of.), but the culture referred to by it's individual constituent country (Not British Tea, English Tea. If there isn't British Haggis, why must there be British Tea only from England).

[Naurobia]

It was very bad. India used to actually be one of the wealthiest and most developed places in the world until the british colonized it in the 18th century.

[Blazedtown]

It was very bad. India used to actually be one of the wealthiest and most developed places in the world until the british colonized it in the 18th century.

I'll take democracy, liberty and other enlightenment era ideals over Hindu and Muslim monarchy and mysticism any day of the week.

[Fionnuala_Saoirse]

Way too atrocity loving for my tastes

[SD_Film Artists]

Good- spreading technology just as the Romans did before them.

Care to elaborate?

As for my second statement I feel the term British is unfair. When people say British then tend to mean English, and the "other Brits' are left out in "British Culture".

Yea, because it was only England that sailed overseas..

[The Black Forrest]

Look to Africa for answers.

What are the state of the former British colonies versus other nations colonies......

[SD_Film Artists]

Like all countries, the Empire was good and bad. Though as I said above, it's mostly good because of spreading technology, furthering humanity until the Cold War.

Look to Africa for answers.

What are the state of the former British colonies versus other nations colonies......

How can you compare that? France was less forgiving to its colonies but that didn't stop Mugabe from being an ass to an ex-British colony.

[Hydesland]

What are the state of the former British colonies versus other nations colonies......

They tend to perform a lot better actually, if they keep the institutions and legal system. If however there is a horrible civil war and rid of all the institutions and systems that were in place during British rule it tends to go badly.

[H-Alba]

Good- spreading technology just as the Romans did before them.

As for my second statement I feel the term British is unfair. When people say British then tend to mean English, and the "other Brits' are left out in "British Culture".

Yea, because it was only England that sailed overseas..

No, of course the English weren't. But the English Culture was the one culture that did spread. But I was referring to the term British today in my statement. There aren't British Haggises, but there are British teas. Calling it British seems silly to me when they are distinct cultures, that in my opinion shouldn't be "plopped" together.

[Vestr-Norig]

All nations based on imperialism are bad, including Britain

[SD_Film Artists]

Good- spreading technology just as the Romans did before them.



Yea, because it was only England that sailed overseas..

No, of course the English weren't. But the English Culture was the one culture that did spread. But I was referring to the term British today in my statement. There aren't British Haggises, but there are British teas. Calling it British seems silly to me when they are distinct cultures, that in my opinion shouldn't be "plopped" together.

Scottish culture was spread, just as English was.

And yes there is British Haggis, as it was invented in England and popularised in Scotland- same goes for the kilt skirt (but not the full-body kilt, that's 100% Scottish).

[Dyakovo]

British Empire - Good or Bad?

Yes

[SD_Film Artists]

All nations based on imperialism are bad, including Britain

I wonder where you'd draw the line there.

[Eaglleia]

Whether if the british had decided to just stay on the island not go exploring, would the world be better or worse off

Much, much, worse.

[SD_Film Artists]

Good- spreading technology just as the Romans did before them.



Yea, because it was only England that sailed overseas..

Calling it British seems silly to me when they are distinct cultures, that in my opinion shouldn't be "plopped" together.

And it's quite easy to be "plopped" together when we've been a nation for hundreds of years. Sure there are differences, but there are also alot of similarities and history which we don't share with Europe or America.

[H-Alba]

No, of course the English weren't. But the English Culture was the one culture that did spread. But I was referring to the term British today in my statement. There aren't British Haggises, but there are British teas. Calling it British seems silly to me when they are distinct cultures, that in my opinion shouldn't be "plopped" together.

Scottish culture was spread, just as English was.

And yes there is British Haggis, as it was invented in England and popularised in Scotland- same goes for the kilt skirt (but not the full-body kilt, that's 100% Scottish).

I disagree. I've never heard one person refer it as a British Haggis, only as a Scottish Haggis, nor have I ever heard anyone claim it was invented in England. And the kilt is one minor aspect of Scottish Culture that was spread. I'm talking about Highland Culture, the Gaelic Language and traditions were all oppressed while the English culture spread.