Uk Citizen Test

[Hymie]

This news story was of interest to me – in that it questions the view that the British Empire was some sort of benevolent endeavour, whereby in the past the British assisted those countries they colonised – where in reality we were plundering them of whatever they had of value.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-53498493

Perhaps the citizen test should point out that should they suggest that the British colonisation of countries around the world was anything but a benevolent endeavour – they will suffer the ire of the indigenous population.

[KARL]

Do I understand correctly that you take it as gospel that the Empire was constructed in order to help other nations and only way behind that, if at all, to serve a distant secondary motive: To the benefit of the UK ?

[Theland]

Self hatred is alive and well in academia.

[david small]

Mutually beneficial trading was the original focus of the endeavour. Then protecting the trade against local and foreign intervention. Unfortunately domination then escalating in some cases to subjugation.

[Spicerack]

//This news story was of interest to me –//

There's a surprise.

[tamborine]

"plundering them of whatever they had of value." Poppycock!

1.We built ships & discovered other lands.
2.bartered goods & labour (known as slaves now).
3.educated savages
4. introduced armoury against their spears
5. " christianity against withcraft
6." industrial revolution
7. " global farming ie tea, rice, rubber, sugar etc

Lots more & english being most value for todays technology.

[AZardoz]

Yes, Tamborine. Do you have your heatshield ready ? Not a PC opinion, so guard your flanks.

Pardon me, that's not an opinion. Just facts.
Some of these 'cultures' had not even invented the wheel. They got guns first. From where ?
Both sides benefited. The worth to each side in a trade depends on what value they place on the commodities involved. Not happy with the offer -- no trade. Simple. Econ 101.
No doubt, there were occasions of exploitation, but NO colour or creed is innocent. Some call it 'human nature'.

There is no rational way to address all the wrongs, real or perceived. How far back do we go ?
So, stop whining & start 'going forward'. All our pols proclaim this as their favourite direction. No idea who has a time machine.

[Theland]

We did more good than bad IMHO.

[ynnafymmi]

Sounds like Hymie is just another one of those Brit Haters on this site.Hate Britain,love the dole money.

[Old_Geezer]

Everyone and every body does thing primarily out of self interest. Doesn't mean another can't benefit or is inevitably being plundered.

[woofgang]

I think the citizen test is a bunch of useless toot anyway.

[Hymie]

See - I told you so.

[ynnafymmi]

One should never bite the hand that feeds you,Hymie.

[sevenOP]

"Perhaps the citizen test should point out that should they suggest that the British colonisation of countries around the world was anything but a benevolent endeavour – they will suffer the ire of the indigenous population."

Indeed Hymie, both within Blighty and in the countries subjected to the well-intentioned immiseration.

Apologists abound, with "wealth privilege" salving past ills.

http://www.sethalexanderthevoz.com/blog/2016/1/6/knowledge-of-life-in-the-uk

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/william-dalrymple-hundreds-of-historians-protest-uks-misleading-citizenship-test/article32162078.ece

[sevenOP]

Hymie,
a good discussion, with a ruffled Buerk.

'The Morality of the British Empire'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000l0kg