> Britain had been the world’s strongest major economy for over a century since Napoleon crippled the Dutch economy and Britain invented modern industry. Yes,

> Britain had been the world’s strongest major economy for over a century since Napoleon crippled the Dutch economy and Britain invented modern industry. Yes, because they had the world's biggest navy and effectively controlled the sea route to the East. That would make anyone rich. > And unlike in Germany where these transfers have been shrinking for decades as the East of the country grows its economy, in Britain we become ever more reliant on the Greater South East and London in particular every year. Uhh... Outside of Leipzig (and obviously Berlin), things aren't going very well in the East of Germany. And even in Leipzig things were super shitty until property fever hit in 2017. Everybody with prospects still moves West in Germany, and the East remains relatively poor as a result (and unheard, which is why the AFD has gained a foothold here). Know what makes countries rich (besides conquest)? Long rivers big enough to pass container ships through without locks - connecting your resources and industrial bases to your markets with super cheap transport costs. The Mississippi. The Yangtze. The Rhine.