I’d argue that the last century and a half were a state of inevitable decline for Britain’s imperialistic ambitions - the vast majority of their time was occupi

I’d argue that the last century and a half were a state of inevitable decline for Britain’s imperialistic ambitions - the vast majority of their time was occupied with putting down (or failing to put down) insurrections and vainglorious military conquests which served to continue to project the image of empire both domestically and internationally, as the structure itself hollowed out. The period of decolonisation following the war was just that - decolonisation - but the empire had already ended. There is a corollary argument, founded by PKD and expounded upon by Baudrillard and others, which is that “the empire never ended” - and while that relates to the Roman Empire, which we arguably reside within the vestiges of, it could perhaps be applied to the lasting effects of any empire. Anyway. I’ve just argued against myself so I’ll end this here.