主题：【原创】一些凌乱的想法，想到哪说到哪 -- puma2011

parishg:

Your eulogy of British empire is embarrassing, even for the most avid imperial apologist.

Your grand linear theory of British triumphalism is rather fictitious, any serious British historian would readily concede that Britain acquired its empire by an “ absence of mind”. British elites DID NOT understand how the empire worked. A historical event vividly revealed their ignorance of its working mechanism. I assume are aware of this symbolic event, will not elaborate here.

I am surprised you are still impressed by British’s expertise in managing a multi-cultural empire. I hope Margaret Thatcher shared your faith in this British Specialty when she was confronted with Irish hunger strikes.

On the eve of her trip to Africa, Margaret Thatcher was anxious of being hit by local protesters. Obviously British prime minister was not as confidant in her ability to handle African as you do. haha.

UK elites DID NOT play nations like masters played chess. it had its share of stupidity. UK’s disastrously handling of Suez crisis left Its prime minister, Eden, a nervous breakdown and abrupt resignation. Prior to this humiliation, British prided himself as Greek, who can always persuade the Americans, the Romans, do what British wanted so long as Britain can make Americans believe it is their idea. It was a dangerous faith they gave up since Suez and picked up by you. And how about EEC fiasco? British prime minister Harold Macmillan who prided himself of his deft handling of De Gaulle got kicked out of EEC.

In the postwar years, UK showed inability to manage its special relationship with America, commonwealth, ethic riots in Africa, continent Europe, etc.

Harold Macmillan, the British prime minister, in his letter to Queen, lamented” so much attempted, so little achieved”.

In his diary, he gloomily entered “ bed at 3 am, slept badly” . it is nothing like a political master manipulating nations. Do you have him in mind when you are boasting UK's elites' statecraft? hahah

Would you give up reading historical fiction works by Niall Ferguson? haha