Conversations with History: Niall Ferguson

Are you kidding? Ferguson is a revisionist who always concludes that imperialism is a good thing. Through his rose-tinted glasses, he always sees the glory of the British Empire.

The legacy of the British Empire is largely a positive one. Look around the world and list the good places to live. Chances are that, at one time, they were under British dominion or influence.

Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Malawi, Sri Lanka, Belize, the list goes on

Compare those places to comparable ones that were not under British influence. By the way, I've been to three of those countries, and found them somewhat impoverished, but also safe, fairly clean, and orderly. Just listing places that are not paradise does nothing to prove that British influence was not positive.

Nigeria, Burma etc etc
What abt the partitions of India, Palestine, Ireland, Cyprus ? Consequences of the policy of divide et impera...

To be fair, you have some good points, and I wouldn't argue that everywhere the British held dominion is a paradise today. What I will argue is that, respective to the region in question, those areas that adopted British law and economic policy flourish today. And I have been to Nigeria - it was a wonderful visit, the areas I was in were prosperous by African standards, and the people seemed content with their system of government. Whenever you have a continent with limited agricultural

potential and nearly 700 million people, there will be strains on and conflicts for resources. The British system has proved far better than others at addressing the important issues of governance.

Well I am willing to concede one thing :
the problem was worsened by the fact that the British empire implemented protectionist policies in the colonies and free trade at home. If we had genuine two way free trade with competition, the story might have been very different

It must bother you that Great Britian no longer holds great influence. I recommend you compensate by living through the American Government. Pretend that everytime America wins a war, you become more of a man.

Books to read
Asia's deadly Triangle
Carol Quiggles Tragedy and Hope
Dawkins the Selfish Gene
Hitichens Jefferson Author of America
Nial Fergusons
Assent of Money
Colossus Fall of the American Empire
Empire
War of the World
Check them out.