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Britain is a third-rate, largely irrelevant European power
This was a comment I saw that was recently made by an American on this forum. I must say that I agree with it, but love this country too much to cling on to silly delusions of grandeur.
Do you agree with it?
Do you agree with it?
Scroll to see replies
Reply 1
You love this country?
Ah you twit....
Ah you twit....
Reply 2
I would take them seriously, as I might be inclined to agree... but if they're American, what the hell are they talking about? The country is a ****e heap.
Reply 3
17
s'alright
Reply 4
The country, yes - tragically. Labour ruined this country after the war. Although the British people (or what's left of them after immigration) are the best in the world, and we have too much to be proud of the relegate us to a third-rate race.
Edit:...either five foreigners read my post, or this is a tragic example of what Britain is today.
Edit:...either five foreigners read my post, or this is a tragic example of what Britain is today.
(edited 14 years ago)
Reply 5
10
Britain isn't exactly what it used to be, but it is still a powerful economy and a world-leader in terms of scientific advances, welfare (compared to America, our state welfare system is more effective) and cultural influence (music, drama etc.). Whilst Britain no longer has as much power as it did, it is still important!
Reply 6
11
Meh, i'd say when considering our contributions to the wider world we could hardly be considered irrelevant. I don't think we should hang on to the past when we were the most important country in the world, and compared to say 200 years ago he would have a point in saying that we're irrelevant-but compared to many other countries (including, in some respects, America itself) we're not exactly third rate.
Anyway, soon America will be "largely irrelevant" itself-China already owns their country lol.
Anyway, soon America will be "largely irrelevant" itself-China already owns their country lol.
Reply 7
I might also point out to anyone who criticises the fact we no longer have much power/Empire, that the reason this is so is because we literally saved the world - that is not being over dramatic. The only thing that could topple the British Empire were being the victors in the two largest conflicts humanity's ever seen - something to boast about, IMO.
Reply 8
16
People have to accept that the days of the empire are well a truly over. Why is being a world power that important anyway? Look at countries like Norway. They're not that internationally relevant, but they are very rich and have a high quality of life. I think that's more important than how much you can influence people on the other side of the world.
Reply 9
Original post
by rylit91The country, yes - tragically. Labour ruined this country after the war. Although the British people (or what's left of them after immigration) are the best in the world, and we have too much to be proud of the relegate us to a third-rate race.
This is why people around the world hate england, for their stuck up attitude. Immigration made this country what it is, and what it was at its peak....
Reply 10
Some areas of Britain you could mistake for a thirdworld (more so called developing nation these days), but these are run-down poor areas and high unemployment rates, high crime. However, this can also apply to other countries, such as high-crime areas or towns of major American Cities (LA/NY being good examples).
The country does have a big footing in the EU though, and it's cultural influence and English language gives it a boost in power, and what with the Commonwealth and USA supporting the UK, it shouldn't be mistaken as a weak power as the army is said to be the best trained in the world, and has backup from the USA/NATO/EU/Commonwealth. The Queen is theoretically the most powerful woman in the world, and although she does not exercise it, she may very well do so at a time of World War.
The Quality of Life has decreased yes, and the country isn't as good as it used to be, but these are down to poor political decisions. Although we have the major financial capital in the world, best research universities, a strong economy based on service, and the busiest airport (Heathrow) we've still got a long way to go.
If you look at the rankings of quality of life, we have slipped a lot over this decade, and now rank in the mid-20s of move liveable nations. Because we're an island nation, we can't really expand much and so we have smaller portions of things compared to the USA who get similar things to us but in larger sizes, and this attracts people from all around the world, causing a brain drain in our community.
The USA, and certainly other nations or cities, attract people with HUGE salaries (average salary for Britain is $35k roughly, paling in comparison to USA, Hong Kong whom have $45k roughly), because the USA is more generous with money and best university education in the world they attract the brighest of people to that country or at least those who see the standards of Britain failing hop off to a better country.
The USA ranks very high in quality of life (4th as of 2010) and is the most powerful nation in the world - but it too has problems of its own, and China is set to overtake the USA's economy and it even has control of certain banks in the USA, so by the end of the century our grandchildren may be learning Mandarin at school.
The UK itself is weak, but united with the USA/EU/Commonwealth, it remains strong and shouldn't be mistaken for its size, as the British Empire has proven. Plus, as we are the biggest ally to the USA, the world is watching us closely too, and our pound remains very strong in comparison to the dollar.
The country does have a big footing in the EU though, and it's cultural influence and English language gives it a boost in power, and what with the Commonwealth and USA supporting the UK, it shouldn't be mistaken as a weak power as the army is said to be the best trained in the world, and has backup from the USA/NATO/EU/Commonwealth. The Queen is theoretically the most powerful woman in the world, and although she does not exercise it, she may very well do so at a time of World War.
The Quality of Life has decreased yes, and the country isn't as good as it used to be, but these are down to poor political decisions. Although we have the major financial capital in the world, best research universities, a strong economy based on service, and the busiest airport (Heathrow) we've still got a long way to go.
If you look at the rankings of quality of life, we have slipped a lot over this decade, and now rank in the mid-20s of move liveable nations. Because we're an island nation, we can't really expand much and so we have smaller portions of things compared to the USA who get similar things to us but in larger sizes, and this attracts people from all around the world, causing a brain drain in our community.
The USA, and certainly other nations or cities, attract people with HUGE salaries (average salary for Britain is $35k roughly, paling in comparison to USA, Hong Kong whom have $45k roughly), because the USA is more generous with money and best university education in the world they attract the brighest of people to that country or at least those who see the standards of Britain failing hop off to a better country.
The USA ranks very high in quality of life (4th as of 2010) and is the most powerful nation in the world - but it too has problems of its own, and China is set to overtake the USA's economy and it even has control of certain banks in the USA, so by the end of the century our grandchildren may be learning Mandarin at school.
The UK itself is weak, but united with the USA/EU/Commonwealth, it remains strong and shouldn't be mistaken for its size, as the British Empire has proven. Plus, as we are the biggest ally to the USA, the world is watching us closely too, and our pound remains very strong in comparison to the dollar.
Reply 11
11
Errr here are some nice obvious facts: Britain is one of the world's military powers, one of just five permanent members of the UN Security Council and is home to what's probably the world's leading financial district.
Reply 12
15
America, lol
Reply 13
Depends on how you define 'Third-rate'. Certainly Britain's influence on the world stage is on the wane, and will continue to be so. Economically, Militarily, Politically, Technologically, Culturally, Socially, in all the areas that give a nation its power and influence, other nations are racing ahead in progress. Meanwhile, Britain and other Western powers are standing still, declining, or progressing very slowly.
Bottom line is, much of Britain's current influence comes from its past. For example, its place on the UNSC is because of it being one of the victors of WW2, more than SIXTY years ago. For the last few decades being a close ally of the US has given it influence. Now that the US is more interested in emerging powers, Britain can't rely on jumping into bed with America, to get brownie points.
A united Europe will obviously give all European nations international influence on a world stage that, by 2030 will have China and America (definitely) and India (likely) as major powers. However a truly united Europe seems extremely unlikely, which pretty much leaves Britain on the sidelines, dependent on the decisions made by major players.
Bottom line is, much of Britain's current influence comes from its past. For example, its place on the UNSC is because of it being one of the victors of WW2, more than SIXTY years ago. For the last few decades being a close ally of the US has given it influence. Now that the US is more interested in emerging powers, Britain can't rely on jumping into bed with America, to get brownie points.
A united Europe will obviously give all European nations international influence on a world stage that, by 2030 will have China and America (definitely) and India (likely) as major powers. However a truly united Europe seems extremely unlikely, which pretty much leaves Britain on the sidelines, dependent on the decisions made by major players.
Reply 14
Original post
by DonFahadThis is why people around the world hate england, for their stuck up attitude. Immigration made this country what it is, and what it was at its peak....
Completely incorrect. Immigration, at what it is now, increased exponentially after the war. Before then the main immigrants were not the Normans, Vikings or Huguenots ( whom my 7 great grandparents were) these people were a drop in the genetic ocean. Most English people can trace their ancestors back to at least 1066 with largely Anglo Saxon roots. Of course for a lot there will be dribs and drabs of foreign blood but they integrated and were not some economic hero you seem to be making them out to be. We English/British have a reason to be 'stuck up'.
Reply 15
Original post
by rylit91Completely incorrect. Immigration, at what it is now, increased exponentially after the war. Before then the main immigrants were not the Normans, Vikings or Huguenots ( whom my 7 great grandparents were) these people were a drop in the genetic ocean. Most English people can trace their ancestors back to at least 1066 with largely Anglo Saxon roots. Of course for a lot there will be dribs and drabs of foreign blood but they integrated and were not some economic hero you seem to be making them out to be. We English/British have a reason to be 'stuck up'.
you're a noob. big whup if you can trace your ancestry, that doesnt make english people any better than chinese people.
Reply 16
Original post
by niyufThis was a comment I saw that was recently made by an American on this forum. I must say that I agree with it, but love this country too much to cling on to silly delusions of grandeur.
Do you agree with it?
Do you agree with it?
And America is so amazing too! A country that has a population with the majority actually being dumb! Shocking! Many are actually stark dumb
Reply 17
18
Original post
by niyufThis was a comment I saw that was recently made by an American on this forum. I must say that I agree with it, but love this country too much to cling on to silly delusions of grandeur.
Do you agree with it?
Do you agree with it?
If you agree with it then you really know nothing of the country.
Im sick of all this self loathing about this country. When shown a number of facts about our economy, international influence, armed forces and general standards of living most people tend to shut up and realize the country is no where near as crappy as they thought.
I also find it rich to have an American commenting on our alleged declining place in the world
Reply 18
niyuf
OP
2
Original post
by Sovr'gnChancellor£And America is so amazing too! A country that has a population with the majority actually being dumb! Shocking! Many are actually stark dumb
Oh drop your inferiority complex. British people really are feckle sometimes.
Reply 19
19
Original post
by PsykPeople have to accept that the days of the empire are well a truly over. Why is being a world power that important anyway?
A country doesn't need a major overseas empire to be influential and a world power.
Look at countries like Norway. They're not that internationally relevant, but they are very rich and have a high quality of life. I think that's more important than how much you can influence people on the other side of the world.
The two are interconnected, particularly in relatively small countries. We use our international influence to protect our economy: for example, in Europe we have been influential in resisting continental-style regulation of the financial services industry.
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