The Empire Steps Back

Under the rule of Queen Victoria Britain ruled an Empire where ‘the sun never set’, was the worlds Policeman, led the world in technology, industry and sheer power, in what was named Britain’s Imperial Century.

Now in 2011 Britain is sovereign over 14 measly territories, many of which are not even inhabited, has flat growth, is governed by Brussels, is having to drastically reduce its defence ability, and is branded as a “crude colonial power in decline”, by the Argentine President.  Is it therefore any wonder why David Cameron says there is a general feeling the country thinks the best days are behind it and lacks confidence?

Since the end of World War One, Britain has spent its time apologising for its Empire, and rather then standing up as a world power, it has been the job of the government, with the exception of the Thatcher administration, to manage the decline of Britain.

Of course their were dark elements of the British Empire, the appalling atrocities towards the end of the Empire during the Mau Mau uprising being an example of just one.  This aside, for Britain these were our best days.  Look at Victorian architecture for example, it’s bold, extravagant and proud.  Compare this to the modest buildings of the 1950s, and the high rise monolithic slabs of concrete which disease our city skylines now, and you will get a sense of what I mean.

There are many reasons why 70 years after Queen Victoria’s reign Britain was coined, “the sick man of Europe”.  For one, Britain had fought two costly wars, which had wrecked it economically and physically, meaning it could no longer sustain its vast Empire.  On top of this, as the world entered the Nuclear era, Britain was pushed aside as the United States and Russia emerged as the worlds undisputed superpowers.

However, what really changed was Britain’s attitude.  In an attempt to distance itself from Nazi Germany’s quest for Lebensraum (living space and raw materials) and belief in German superiority, Britain shunned its pursuit of a global Empire.

Now in the 21st Century this humble approach has gone too far, countries such as China and India are not embarrassed of their goals to become great powerful nations, and why should they?

We have become so scared by our experiences of what Eric Hobsbawn, describes as an ‘age of extremes’, that Britain is afraid of pursuing self interests.

The irony is, if we are to create a better, more stable world, we must not be afraid of pursuing goals which will benefit us.  In the words of Margaret Thatcher, “No-one would remember the Good Samaritan if he’d only had good intentions; he had money as well.”