Considering centuries of worldwide colonization, why is the average British standard of living so low?

Answer 1

Well it's better than that of most countries. But if not better, centuries of colonization has nothing to do with it. It's simply about economic productivity; the amount of value each person in the economy produces, on average.

And according to mainstream economists (who happen to be correct about this), you optimize productivity through free markets, free trade, sufficient business investments, and an understanding that the purpose of the economy is to serve the consumer, period. And culture has a lot to do with it.

UK has most of this to a pretty good degree. But 1) you are still shackled to some degree to that Euro-socialism. 2) Your economy is not enough consumer-focused, and 3) IMHO, you're also lacking a certain amount of cultural risk-taking and breaking of convention -- you're too rooted in the past.

When I travel to UK, I often get frustrated that stores close so early, laundrettes are closed on weekends, lots of annoying stuff like that. I have no idea when the typical local person shops or does their laundry, if they happen to have a job. You'd do a lot more business in the UK if things were more convenient for the consumer -- and that translates into more productivity, which means a higher standard of living.

Answer 2

I lived in England for over 4 years. I always thought they were 50 years behind the times and working 3 days a week to catch up. They are risk adverse, they settle for the basics, many accept their position in life and don't fight the class structure, etc. Many do not have a negative connotation with being unemployed. They had kind hearts and knew suffering. The old timers still talk about the war. I don't regret my time in the UK. I respect their way of life, it just wasn't for me.