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I think you might be over estimating how much the British care about having/not having an empire. If you can get around the paywall, this might be worth a read

I think you might be over estimating how much the British care about having/not having an empire. If you can get around the paywall, this might be worth a read: https://www.ft.com/content/a9c45baa-1dc6-11e7-b7d3-163f5a7f229c https://www.ft.com/content/a9c45baa-1dc6-11e7-b7d3-163f5a7f2...

fosco 9y ago
Thank you for sharing this, I was able to get the cache [0] I look forward to the following "The terminal point of empire is introspection, not a restless desire to do it all over again. " [0] https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:iE3HThFMctEJ:https://www.ft.com/content/a9c45baa-1dc6-11e7-b7d3-163f5a7f229c%3Fmhq5j%3De1+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:iE3HTh...
deleted 9y ago
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cat199 9y ago
> I think you might be over estimating how much the British care about having/not having an empire. Even if the linked piece is correct (tending to agree somewhat), it is written in a modern context with respect to Brexit. The James Bond novels were created in the early 50's when the empire was still a real thing that was actually breaking up, and before 'multiculturalism' was really a thing in any serious way (see mid 60s-70s-80s for that). Not sure if I agree with the actual point above, but the contexts are certainly different, an adult in early 50's Britain certainly would need to psychologically adjust to a shifting national identity, whether they cared for empire or not..
- KineticLensman 9y ago
  The Bond novels do explore Britain's role in the world but for the readers were also a tantalising glimpse into a post-austerity world following the rationing and privations of WWII. Bond visits places (e.g. Monte Carlo, Jamaica, etc) that seemed exotic at the time but would now be viewed as 'boring' by a gap year student. IMO, the Harry Palmer spy stories [1] (e.g. The Impress Files) better reflect the cynical end of empire feeling. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Palmer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Palmer
- subsubsub 9y ago
  A fair point. I have unintentionally misrepresented what was being said in order to make my own point. Although, I think it is worth referencing next time you hear someone talk about attitudes to empire in the context of modern Britain.

fosco 9y ago

Thank you for sharing this, I was able to get the cache [0] I look forward to the following "The terminal point of empire is introspection, not a restless desire to do it all over again. " [0] https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:iE3HThFMctEJ:https://www.ft.com/content/a9c45baa-1dc6-11e7-b7d3-163f5a7f229c%3Fmhq5j%3De1+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:iE3HTh...

deleted 9y ago

[deleted]

cat199 9y ago

> I think you might be over estimating how much the British care about having/not having an empire. Even if the linked piece is correct (tending to agree somewhat), it is written in a modern context with respect to Brexit. The James Bond novels were created in the early 50's when the empire was still a real thing that was actually breaking up, and before 'multiculturalism' was really a thing in any serious way (see mid 60s-70s-80s for that). Not sure if I agree with the actual point above, but the contexts are certainly different, an adult in early 50's Britain certainly would need to psychologically adjust to a shifting national identity, whether they cared for empire or not..

KineticLensman 9y ago
The Bond novels do explore Britain's role in the world but for the readers were also a tantalising glimpse into a post-austerity world following the rationing and privations of WWII. Bond visits places (e.g. Monte Carlo, Jamaica, etc) that seemed exotic at the time but would now be viewed as 'boring' by a gap year student. IMO, the Harry Palmer spy stories [1] (e.g. The Impress Files) better reflect the cynical end of empire feeling. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Palmer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Palmer
subsubsub 9y ago
A fair point. I have unintentionally misrepresented what was being said in order to make my own point. Although, I think it is worth referencing next time you hear someone talk about attitudes to empire in the context of modern Britain.