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>Britain was always an exception with its recent imperialist past This is a joke, right? Ever heard of French Indochina, French Syria, or the Algerian War? Or
by marcoperaza 10y ago
>Britain was always an exception with its recent imperialist past
This is a joke, right? Ever heard of French Indochina, French Syria, or the Algerian War? Or how about the Belgian Congo? Or Spanish Morocco? All from the second half of the 20th century.
And let's not forget the Germans conquering all of Europe. And your own country, Finland, siding with them.
- pavlov 10y agoThe difference is that Britain still has factions clinging to the remnants of the Empire. Among Brexiteers, this was a common theme: "We should work with Commonwealth nations rather than continental Europe". As far as WWII and Nazis -- that is precisely the reason why we have the EU, and shouldn't be brash in dismissing it. Nationalism in Europe ends up badly.
- marcoperaza 10y agoI'm not sure how wanting closer economic relations with former colonies is equivalent to lusting for empire, or even a bad thing. With Canada, Australia, New Zealand (and the US) especially, the UK has a lot of cultural and political synergy.
- pavlov 10y agoMy point exactly. What does that have to do with the EU? If Brexit proponents feel Britain should work with English-speaking former colonies on the other side of the planet, that's fine -- but why come up with lies about the EU to advance that goal?
- marcoperaza 10y agoGiven that the EU has a common external trade policy, that's kind of difficult. Also, closer economic ties with countries outside of the EU are not the raison d'etre of Brexit, but a proposal for a viable alternative economic arrangement that would make Brexit feasible.
- pavlov 10y agoAnd that's why Britain is an exception. If they don't want to be part of the EU, it's not a failure of the EU.
- lacampbell 10y agoThe UK joining the EEC in the 70s had a huge effect on the New Zealand economy.