My home country was a republic at the time. Made for some pragmatic leadership. While the French and the Spanish were basically pyramid schemes where wealth flo

My home country was a republic at the time. Made for some pragmatic leadership. While the French and the Spanish were basically pyramid schemes where wealth flowed to the top, the Dutch Republic was basically prospering on trade and attracting talent from all over Europe. Basically all the intellectuals and outcasts. Spanish Jews, French Huguenots, various refugees from German warring city states, etc. That made for a potent mix of wealth, trade, science, and relative religious freedom. The UK had their revolution in the 17th century, invited a Dutch king on the throne, and essentially copied all the best parts of Dutch practices. Basically, that's how they bootstrapped the British empire. The bank of England was created around the same time. Meanwhile the Dutch empire prospered for a while but fizzled out. Napoleon put an end to the republic. And after it's defeat, the British turned it into a monarchy.