CharlieG said:
Mate, you're the one saying that British rule has been positive. So what have the African states that were formerly British colonies gained from being part of the British Empire?
Speaking of rewriting history and small countries benefiting from trade with big ones... do you even know why the British Empire was built in the first place? It was precisely because Britain would benefit greatly from protected markets and access to resources. Empire is not benevolent, Medusala.
Empire has been extremely benevolent if you happen to be in the right empire. What have those African states gained? Well the 3 richest countries in Africa are former British colonies (Botswana,SA and the Seychelles) and 6 of the top 10 countries per capita GDP are former UK colonies. Of the 4 that arent former colonies 3 (Tunisia, Algeria and Libya) are oil economies. In addition the judiciary tends to be more independent in former UK colonies. Even in Zimbabwe recently a politically motivated case against the leader of the opposition was dismissed. So those african colonies ruled by the Brits tend to be richer with more political freedom. There is overwhelming statistical evidence to back this up. Not exactly sure how you can dispute it.
Just another point to show the benefits of British colonialism. Take Singapore and Hong Kong. Both were nothing more than fishing villages when the Brits took them over. Without the UK both would be just small cities rather than financial centres with extremely high living standards.
If you are going to say that colonisation was such a bad thing you are going to have to bring up some examples and some facts and figures to back your case up. I have proved overwhelmingly that British colonisation was benevolent. Its not just me who thinks this, subjects of these colonies have overwhelmingly voted in favour of staying as colonies in recent times ie Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, Bermuda, Falklands, Cayman Islands.
And another thing while we are on the topic. Have you ever considered why the most respected offshore centres are UK dependencies ie Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos etc.
Its because of the legacy of common law and stable govt. The living standard in these places is extremely high. ie compare the living standard of Bermuda and the Cayman Islands with their neighbours like Cuba, Haiiti etc and join the dots.
Argue all you like that Spanish, French et al were crap colonists but dont try to argue that UK colonisation was always bad for the subjects of those countries because you will really struggle.