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Downsizing the Empire

Haji 2003

Entry posted by Haji 2003 in Politics

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The proposition that the British Empire "never really went away" but instead "downsized" reflects a view of post-colonial influence that suggests continuity between the British Empire's formal rule and its present-day economic and political ties, particularly with the rich Arab Gulf states. While the British Empire as a formal political entity dissolved in the mid-20th century, this perspective argues that Britain's influence persisted, transforming from direct colonial rule to a more subtle but still significant form of power and influence.

Economic Ties and Arms Trade

One of the most visible aspects of this continuing influence is the strong economic ties between the UK and the Arab Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and others. The UK is a significant exporter of arms to these countries, with Saudi Arabia being one of the largest customers. This arms trade not only supports British industries and employment but also reinforces political and military relationships between the UK and these Gulf states. The reliance of these nations on British military technology and expertise can be seen as a continuation of the influence that Britain once exerted more overtly during the imperial period.

Investments in British Property and Economy

Arab Gulf states have also invested heavily in the British economy, particularly in real estate, financial services, and other high-profile sectors. London's property market, for instance, has seen substantial investment from Gulf monarchies and sovereign wealth funds. These investments benefit the British economy and contribute to the UK's status as a global financial hub. The economic interdependence created by these investments is another form of influence, where former colonies (or regions within the imperial sphere) now play a crucial role in the British economy.

Employment for British Expats

The presence of British expatriates in the Gulf states, particularly in high-skilled sectors such as finance, education, and engineering, reflects another layer of this ongoing relationship. British professionals are often sought after for their expertise and experience, and their employment in these regions can be traced back to historical ties established during the colonial period. The continued demand for British expertise suggests a lasting influence and a form of soft power, where British culture, education, and professional norms continue to shape the region.

Political Influence and Leadership Support

The assertion that the leaders of these Gulf states were either appointed by Britain or have their tenure supported by Britain touches on the historical reality that many current Gulf monarchies have roots in British colonial or protectorate arrangements. For example, the Al-Saud family in Saudi Arabia and the Al-Thani family in Qatar consolidated power during periods when Britain had significant influence over the Arabian Peninsula. While these leaders are now independent, the historical ties and ongoing strategic partnerships suggest that Britain continues to exert some level of influence, particularly through defense agreements and diplomatic support.

Continuity of Influence

The idea that the British Empire "downsized" rather than disappeared reflects the continuity of influence, albeit in a different form. The mechanisms of control and influence have shifted from direct colonial administration to economic dependency, strategic partnerships, and soft power. The British Empire in its classical form may be gone, but the relationships, institutions, and dependencies it created continue to shape international relations and economics in ways that can be seen as a legacy of that empire.

Counterarguments

However, it is also important to consider the counterarguments to this proposition. The Gulf states are now sovereign nations with their own complex political dynamics, and their relationship with Britain is one of mutual interest rather than imperial domination. The influence of other global powers, such as the United States and China, also plays a significant role in these regions, which complicates the notion that Britain maintains a unique or dominant position of influence.

In conclusion, while the British Empire as a formal entity no longer exists, the networks of influence, economic ties, and political relationships established during the imperial period have persisted in ways that benefit the UK. These relationships, particularly with the Arab Gulf states, suggest that Britain's influence did not vanish but instead evolved, leading to a form of continuity that some might argue represents a "downsized" empire.

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Haji 2003

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The prompt I gave chatgpt for the above text:

Please discuss the proposition that the British Empire never really went away. Instead, it downsized. Today Britain benefits from economic ties with the rich Arab Gulf states. This includes purchases of British arms, investments in British property and employment for British expats. The leaders of these countries were either appointed by Britain or their tenure is supported by Britain.

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  • Latest Blog Entries

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      [This post was initially published as 'A little conspiracy theory of mine' on Oct 25 2016. I've now retitled it and linked some of the text with the notion of the Great Replacement Theory.]
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      Conclusion
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      https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/08/a-deadly-ideology-how-the-great-replacement-theory-went-mainstream
       
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      But the two are never mentioned together.
       
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      https://contemporaniablog.wordpress.com/2016/10/24/poms-and-windrush/
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      Scientific theory vs. unscientific utility
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         1 comment
      Edited 1st July 2024 to improve clarity. Edited 20th July 2024 to include a more detailed reference to face validity. Added reference to Lindt 27th August 2024.
       
      Summary
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      Serendipity (pot luck)
      I have previously noted how, in some fields of human endeavour, the scientific approach is held to be the ideal. In reality however human scientific and technological discoveries have often been the result of luck and even mistakes.
      https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn47zg3xgxxo
      Social science 'theories'
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      But Maslow did not come up with this through any research that would hold up to scientific scrutiny.
      Does the lack of a scientific approach invalidate a model or framework?
      Yet the Maslow hierarchy is productively used by professionals in a variety of industries, managers, MBA students and others in universities. For example, people use it to understand why consumers buy certain products.
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      Face validity
      The implication from this is that while ideas and knowledge may ideally be the result of the scientific approach i.e. hypothesising and then testing, there are many instances where this is not the case. In the area of the social sciences and management the value of some types of knowledge seems to rest on their 'face validity', do they make sense to practitioners? Can those individuals make better sense of their external environment as a result of using these tools and if they can, that is good enough?
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       https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5997715/
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      The same principle could surely apply to various aspects of religion. There may be no scientific proof underpinning various religious ideas and injunctions, but if they have face validity, if they help the individual make sense of their external environment, manage it and live what they consider a better life, surely that is good enough?
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         1 comment
      In a quiet, sunlit café nestled in the heart of an old city, two artists sat across from each other, their voices low and contemplative. The first, Clara, was a digital artist whose work had brought her acclaim over the past decade. Her short, tousled hair framed a face that bore the marks of countless hours spent in front of a screen, her fingers still twitching as if they were drawing on an invisible tablet. Opposite her sat Daniel, a younger artist who had recently burst onto the scene with his AI-generated masterpieces. His eyes sparkled with the thrill of new possibilities, yet there was a tension in his voice as he spoke.
      “It’s not just about the art anymore,” Daniel was saying, his tone a mixture of excitement and anxiety. “It’s about the code, the algorithms. I don’t even need to draw anymore; the AI does it for me. But I can’t help but wonder… what happens when the AI learns to create without me? What if I become obsolete?”
      Clara nodded, her expression understanding but conflicted. “I know the feeling. I’ve spent years perfecting my digital techniques, mastering tools that were meant to make my life easier, not replace me. Now, all I hear about are these AI programs that can mimic my style in seconds. It feels like the ground is shifting beneath my feet.”
      As if summoned by their words, the door to the café swung open, and a third artist entered. His clothes were splattered with paint, his hands stained with the colors of his latest work. He carried with him an air of nostalgia, as if he had stepped out of another time entirely. This was Vincent, a veteran of the traditional art world, who had made his name with hand-drawn and hand-colored pieces, long before the advent of digital art.
      He approached their table with a wry smile, having overheard the tail end of their conversation. “Mind if I join you?” he asked, not waiting for an answer as he pulled up a chair. “I couldn’t help but overhear. Your worries sound awfully familiar.”
      Clara and Daniel exchanged glances, intrigued by this interruption. Vincent continued, his voice thick with the weight of years spent battling his own obsolescence. “You know, there was a time when I was the one being pushed aside. When digital art first started gaining traction, I was furious. How could something created on a computer, with no paint, no brush, no tactile connection to the canvas, be considered real art? I watched as galleries that once displayed my work shifted to showcasing digital creations. I felt like the world was moving on without me.”
      Clara leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “What did you do?”
      Vincent chuckled, though there was a trace of bitterness in his laugh. “I adapted. I learned to incorporate digital techniques into my work, found a way to blend the old with the new. But the feeling never quite left me—that nagging fear that everything I’d worked for could be erased with the click of a mouse.”
      Daniel frowned, his youthful confidence shaken. “So, this is just… a cycle? Each generation of artists fears being replaced by the next?”
      “Seems that way,” Vincent replied, his eyes softening with empathy. “But here’s the thing: art isn’t just about the tools we use. It’s about the vision behind it. Machines, AI, computers—they can mimic, they can replicate, but they can’t feel. They can’t see the world the way we do. That’s something they’ll never take away from us.”
      The three artists sat in silence, contemplating the inevitability of change, but also the enduring nature of creativity. In that moment, they understood the irony that connected them—a shared fear of obsolescence that, in truth, only underscored the timelessness of art itself.

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