What do you think about the British Empire? Is Britain in a better position nowaday because of it?

Answer 1

We are in a big mess.

Answer 2

Good thing, it made us great!

Obviously were in a better position because of it, we stabilised trade links all over the world and it was because of it that for several centuries we were the world's main superpower, a legacy that can still be felt today. Do you really think we'd be in the G8 without it?

To citizen B, if the British had not had an Empire, the world would be a worse place, as it spread advancement and civilisation and technology and without it there would be many more third world countries and even they would be poorer than today. then the richer countries, which would be pretty much Europe, would be much more undeveloped and less technologically and economically advanced, as the Empires of the European countries brought about huge wealth and advancement. Then, there'd be no USA, Australia, Canada, etc. The world would be a bigger, undeveloped, poorer place.

Okay, I dislike our rampant immigration as much as the next person, and it is true that without the empire it wouldn't be happening, partly in the same way there isn't mass immigration into Bulgaria, and partly because the world would be a more undeveloped place and people wouldn't be able to immigrate. Neither of those are particularly good things.
Our rampant immigration isn't the fault of the Empire, but our incompetent labour government.

Answer 3

Well i always beleive the Past makes the present, present makes the future, the main thing is Britain has survived , so whatever the British Empire did it still survived and up and running, I dont believe Britain cud have done anymore in the past to make itself a civilsed country as it is now, Britain is where it is meant to be, put it this way the British Empire cud not ave done more for the world , (which ever country they ruled) in history and for itself, the position Britain is in now many countriues wud love to be, Britain has more or less control in Europe in current affairs, polotics, etc, and has the biggest say on world issues, so i say they are in a position where many countures cud just wish.

Answer 4

The empire was great. Shame it fell apart. Apparantly some former colonies (i.e. Sri Lanka) would like to see the empire reinstated.

Fair enough there was some mistreatment of the colonies, granted, but on the whole colonialism seems to have been a positive experience for them in terms of socio-economic development.

Britian is in a far better position today because of the empire. We have a great heritage and tradition, and are regarded as mother to democracy etc. Go to Canada, Bermuda or Gibraltar and people still refer to the UK as the "Motherland".

Answer 5

The world has been shaped by empires, be they British, French, Spanish or Asian. We [the human race] needed to know where we were, when we had no idea about the rest of the world. Now that we do, we need to learn more about culture and religion. We no longer need empires (although these days they are disguised as media).

Answer 6

Without it thwere would not have been an industrial revolution, we wouldn't have curry, there wouldn't be the concept of international waters, the Americans would all be speaking Spanish, Asia would remain largely undeveloped, Japan would be a feudal state...
Britain would be an unrecognisable backwater of sheep farms, optimisticly similar to Eastern Europe with horse drawn carts, no central heating, no electricity and no reliable plumbing.

Answer 7

i think that Britain is now suffering because of its past, and i perceive that the cause of the suffering comes from the immigrants from its former countries. these people mess everything up and another good example is France. It is also a pain for those of us who's family comes from Britain who have difficulty in gaining citizenship. I obtained German citizenship from my grandparents, why can't i also get British citizenship from my other ones? its because so many people want to get into Britain that they are now forced to reduce the numbers and not give to those that are due it!!! My grandparents left Britain in order to live in the colonies, they did it for the Empire and i believe that their lineage (ie me) should be able to benefit!

Answer 8

Yes, because when people think of England, they think of the Empire they had. The empire had a lot of influence on other countries, and that kind of stuff.

Answer 9

No, but much of the rest of the world is. For example, if we hadn't given India the English language, they wouldn't be in a position to act as call centres, nor to exploit their IT potential.

Answer 10

Financially speaking, off course, it makes billions because of its expansion and vampirism of foreign countries, be it import of goods (and workers) or export (mainly) of services to such people and countries.
Practically, yes and no, as money comes in but goes to the "wrong" hands.
Morally, off course not, and it's also establishing a bad reputation for our country.
At the end of the day not at all, as foreigners come to dislike (or even hate) British people because of their imperialistic tendencies and practise, and as every empire, it has come (and will further come) to an end, with unforeseen consequences for its people.
Its better we start being a bit more modest and really give (or at least stop exploiting) rather than just take take take (despite what we claim that we do).
Cheers
:)

Answer 11

Britian is now paying for the sins of its past. Ali in an earlier answer said Britian is surviving. But at what cost? Look at the shape of Britian today. If cities being invaded by foreigners, is surviving, you can keep surviving to yourselves. If you brits had kept your noses out of everybodies businesses (and countries) the world would be a better place. Your first interference in other lands to my knowledge (I stand to be corrected) was its closest neighbour Ireland, and by the looks of things, it will be your last. It is still disputed land. So, to conclude, Britian is now paying the price for meddling in other peoples affairs. Stop stealing countries.