How the World Sees England
- Thread starter Leo
- Start date
droid
Well-known member
Sure, Im saying that if British students were taught the true nature and extent of Britain's past actions then British society would have the same attitude as the Germans or Japanese towards military nationalism.
droid
Well-known member
I agree with the first part of this sentence. The second part seems dubious.
You dont need to look very hard in some places, but you will not find a street, park or house in the South festooned with Irish flags as a matter of course. Even this year, with all of it's connotations, national symbols are far less prevalent than I would have expected. Irish nationalism tends to be uneasily expressed... articulated though cultural achievements and anti-British sentiment rather than national pride.
craner
Beast of Burden
Well, that's fine, you consider Britain to be analogous to Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.
Even despite that reading, the British public do not, in my experience, ever mention Empire as a moment in time they are proud of or should return to. It's erased to an extent that Nazi Germany is in Germany. You don't teach it because you're ashamed of it. Saying you're pro-Empire in the UK is seen as eccentric and almost career suicide unless you're a niche historian or writer.
Even despite that reading, the British public do not, in my experience, ever mention Empire as a moment in time they are proud of or should return to. It's erased to an extent that Nazi Germany is in Germany. You don't teach it because you're ashamed of it. Saying you're pro-Empire in the UK is seen as eccentric and almost career suicide unless you're a niche historian or writer.
droid
Well-known member
Well, thats not what I said, but how would you characterise the British Empire with its litany of racism, slavery and genocide? Benevolent, or one of the bloodiest in history?
And still, despite the claimed disavowal and lack of pride, the bombs continue to fall.
Niall Ferguson seems to doing OK btw.
And still, despite the claimed disavowal and lack of pride, the bombs continue to fall.
Niall Ferguson seems to doing OK btw.
rubberdingyrapids
Well-known member
from 2014 (ie from the last 30 years):
https://yougov.co.uk/news/2014/07/26/britain-proud-its-empire/
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droid
Well-known member
That if Britain truly faced up to its horrific past (as the Japanese did) then committing those foreign misadventures (enabled by nationalism) would be abhorrent to the population and therefore untenable for governments.
At least the Russians are honest about it.
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rubberdingyrapids
Well-known member
in my experience, you find plenty of people who definitely wouldnt DEFEND empire, as this is no longer the done thing, its a matter of what is deemed publicly acceptable, but they wouldnt CRITICISE it either, as that would be admitting guilt, and therefore some responsibility for something terrible, and why admit it was something terrible, when - as that yougov survey indicates - there was nothing to really be ashamed of. 'i mean, yeah some bad things were done, but plenty of good came of it, and everyone was doing it, just get over it, why bang on about the past, etc etc'. being 'non' something isnt the same as being 'anti'.