> The United Kingdom went from a country with enormously outsized global influence to just another European nation. You should read the book Treasure Islands b

> The United Kingdom went from a country with enormously outsized global influence to just another European nation. You should read the book Treasure Islands by Nick Shaxson. The UK may not be the global military/political power it once was (and that's probably a good thing), but it is still very much in the middle of the global economy (and not in a good way). This isn't to refute any of your points, but it was an eye-opening read.