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> And more importantly, history isn't "random trivia". While the merits of a degree in history may be debatable, if the majority of the UK had a passable knowle

> And more importantly, history isn't "random trivia". While the merits of a degree in history may be debatable, if the majority of the UK had a passable knowledge in why the EU exists, and what the UK did to become an empire, the attitude towards integration with the EU would likely be very different. As much as I agree with other points, I can only strongly disagree here. It strongly implies a condescending attitude that stupid and uneducated decided about British future. If only they could be brainwashed^H taught they would choose the “right” option.

jonp888 6y ago
Well, I strongly disagree with you strong disagreeing. It's not condescending in the slightest, and debate around Brexit revealed that although theres's nothing wrong with being against european integration, a lot of people have almost no idea of what the EU does and does not do.
maccard 6y ago
I never claimed brainwashed, uneducated or stupid. Far from it. But many major important parts of british history are glossed over. Much of the empire is taught as though britain was a trading partner rather than brutal occupier, the Irish plantations are glossed over as an unavoidable famine, ww1/2 are celebrated as the strength of the empire, and the postwar agreements and decisions which led to the current EU are mentioned in a sentence. These are massively important periods which directly explain huge parts of britain's "influence" over the rest of the world, and the information is available quite publicly, just never taught to children. If people at large understood what happened and why we have the institutions we currently have, they are shown to be far more likely to be in favour of them.
- vixen99 6y ago
  I wonder if you have really tried to understand the intellectual case for Brexit. Your 'if people at large ... ' is merely an exercise in wishful thinking. For serious analyses of the Brexit question by extremely well equipped academics (I rather think they 'understand') and others try https://briefingsforbritain.co.uk/ https://briefingsforbritain.co.uk/
  - regularfry 6y ago
    It would be unfortunate here to mistakenly leave the impression that briefingsforbritain.co.uk is in some way neutral. Until the start of this year they used to be called "Briefings for Brexit". The content on the site is rampantly partisan. It would also be regrettable if one were to look at their academic qualifications as being somehow indicative of the quality of their arguments, rather than the quality of their rhetoric.

jonp888 6y ago

Well, I strongly disagree with you strong disagreeing. It's not condescending in the slightest, and debate around Brexit revealed that although theres's nothing wrong with being against european integration, a lot of people have almost no idea of what the EU does and does not do.

maccard 6y ago

I never claimed brainwashed, uneducated or stupid. Far from it. But many major important parts of british history are glossed over. Much of the empire is taught as though britain was a trading partner rather than brutal occupier, the Irish plantations are glossed over as an unavoidable famine, ww1/2 are celebrated as the strength of the empire, and the postwar agreements and decisions which led to the current EU are mentioned in a sentence. These are massively important periods which directly explain huge parts of britain's "influence" over the rest of the world, and the information is available quite publicly, just never taught to children. If people at large understood what happened and why we have the institutions we currently have, they are shown to be far more likely to be in favour of them.

vixen99 6y ago
I wonder if you have really tried to understand the intellectual case for Brexit. Your 'if people at large ... ' is merely an exercise in wishful thinking. For serious analyses of the Brexit question by extremely well equipped academics (I rather think they 'understand') and others try https://briefingsforbritain.co.uk/ https://briefingsforbritain.co.uk/
- regularfry 6y ago
  It would be unfortunate here to mistakenly leave the impression that briefingsforbritain.co.uk is in some way neutral. Until the start of this year they used to be called "Briefings for Brexit". The content on the site is rampantly partisan. It would also be regrettable if one were to look at their academic qualifications as being somehow indicative of the quality of their arguments, rather than the quality of their rhetoric.