Partisan
Active member
LeEnfield, I agree with you, empire building is almost a natural evolution for countries as they seek to expand their sphere of influence. It used to be done soldiers, explorers & missionaries, nowadays it is done by financiers, bankers and accountants.
Do I believe GB was wrong to build its Empire - NO. Had it failed to do so other countries would've filled the void, were we the greatest rulers, probably not, but it is no use crying over spilt milk, we're talking about an era where might was right, so many countries changed hands after wars, it ws like a giant game of monopoly.
I do think that we need to be honest and accept that some of our reasons for Empire building were not quite humanitarian. Religion was used as a big part of that, either to sell expansion to Parlaiment or to justify its occurence. Fortunately as we develop into a more anti clericalist scoiety, that doesn't wash so much - so perhaps the truth will out? Eventually - Hopefully.
Do I believe GB was wrong to build its Empire - NO. Had it failed to do so other countries would've filled the void, were we the greatest rulers, probably not, but it is no use crying over spilt milk, we're talking about an era where might was right, so many countries changed hands after wars, it ws like a giant game of monopoly.
I do think that we need to be honest and accept that some of our reasons for Empire building were not quite humanitarian. Religion was used as a big part of that, either to sell expansion to Parlaiment or to justify its occurence. Fortunately as we develop into a more anti clericalist scoiety, that doesn't wash so much - so perhaps the truth will out? Eventually - Hopefully.