> > Think of African or American colonisation for example. Local opposition had to be removed. >Right, let's just say that that is probably not the strongest a

> > Think of African or American colonisation for example. Local opposition had to be removed. >Right, let's just say that that is probably not the strongest argument you could have made. Are many of those countries being run better now? One of my older servants here in Guatemala used to speak fondly of the "genocidal" general Rios Montt. During his time, she said, things were so safe. If someone robbed you, say, grabbed a purse, he'd be shot on the spot! Even now, I hear people express desire for summary execution. They're just so sick of the shittiness of these countries that due process doesn't get consideration. I don't think many of these countries are very capable of attacking the root problems (which seems to mostly be just sheer incompetence at every conceivable level). At least not on any useful timeframes. It's almost certainly a better deal for them to become protectorates/colonies of properly run countries. Maybe on a 50-year term.