Svejk>"What exactly would you like to see, 7up? "
People being held accountable for their actions; that means governments and institutions and others.
Svejk>" Leaving aside the poor, downtrodden people of our former colonies who would welcome us back like a shot. "
If that is meant as a factual statement, and not a question, then they would probably welcome us back WITH a shot
Svejk>" We can't cure all the world's ills. "
Indeed, but we should be held responsible and ACCOUNTable for our actions.
New Judge
The strange thing about "colonialism", sevenOP, is that you say "These invaded countries were largely the source of the current high standards of living the West now enjoys."
Assuming you are suggesting that the colonialists plundered the natural resources of the countries they colonised (leaving aside the fact that it's doubtful that those already there knew of the riches on which they sat, let alone how to get at them or what to do with them) how have those nations not prospered since their European masters left leaving much of those riches behind? Africa is awash with natural resources yet nobody there seems able to make use of them for the benefit of all the population. Europe has poured untold amounts of cash into the continent in an effort to alleviate the squalor in which they live, but to no avail.
Are you suggesting that to atone for the sins of our forefathers we should now provide free board and lodging for anybody who wants to settle here? Or should we allow all Africans to move to Europe and shift all the Europeans to Africa. After a few generations (when the Europeans have developed Africa decently and Europe has descended into squalor) perhaps we could all move back again! Or maybe the Europeans might not quite like that idea (having spent considerable time and effort knocking Africa into shape and knowing that Europe had descended into mayhem). Then we’d probably then see boatloads of migrants setting off from southern Italy to make the hazardous crossing to Tripoli in search of a "better life".
The purpose of the colonial theft was plunder not some altruistic motive; the people were used, moved and often abused.
Do you think the Industrial Revolution evolved free of resources ?
The colonisers used their more advanced structures and infrastructures with the aid of Capital and enFORCED their will , and when they left so did their infrasructures and Capital.
There was never any attempt to "atone for our forefathers" ( unless you consider the 'Foreign Aid' token benevolence ) , and the facts of our 'forefathers' actions are conveniently ignored and we do not teach our children such things, so a huge mass of our population are blissfully unaware of the facts. You, apparently, are of that ilk.
As I said to Svejk, we should at least be held responsible and accountable for our contemporary actions.