UK United Kingdom, sovereignty, isolationism, imperialism, Great Britain, cultural model, Brexit, Thames Valley, Commonwealth, England, Wales, Rule Britannia, UKIP Party Song, Jonny and the Baptists, James Thomson
The document comments on the two notions of "Space and Exchanges" and "Places and Forms of Power" in the context of the history of Great Britain and the Commonwealth. The commentary answer the questions "How was the UK built and what cultural model did it set up?" and "What consequences did the Brexit have on a social, political and economic level?" based on the following documents:
- The poem "Rule, Britannia!" by James Thomson;
- A video named "History of British Empire for Dummies";
- The UKIP Party Song by Jonny and the Baptists;
- An extract from The New York Times "How Britain Voted in the E.U. Referendum" by Gregor Aisch, Adam Pearce and Karl Russell.
[...] However, Exiters said they want to be independent, not isolated, and will maintain relations with others. But it is sad that each side treated the other with contempt, like linking UKIP voters to the far right in a mock song. Places and Forms of Power There are many different forms of political ideologies, systems and behaviours. Left and right wings are commonplace expressions but have little meaning, hence more elaborate charts that help define someone's or a party's beliefs according to economic and social freedoms. [...]
[...] Plus, it was thought back then that superior races like the British ought to enlighten the savages. All this has a name: imperialism. As a member of the European Union since 1973 and until about 2020, the UK has to transfer money and accept EU legislation, including continental workers. Though it decided to retain its currency, it is part of the common market, which allows for more economic exchanges thanks to the removal of customs taxes, and for greater population movements, which in turns benefits students and tourists for instance (and thus, growth and culture). [...]
[...] As we can see, there are several forms of power, depending on who wields it: a country either rules others, is subjected to another power, or administrates its own affairs without stepping into its neighbour's business. However, due to the outcome of the referendum, Scotland threatened that it would in turn organise a referendum for its own independence from the United Kingdom but, like Catalonia, would join the EU anyway: then it would not be totally independent. Is it fair not to join with the crowd and chant the pro-European mantra? [...]
[...] - James Thomson (1740); UKIP Party Song - Jonny and the Baptists (2013); The New York Times, How Britain Voted in the E.U. Referendum - Gregor Aisch, Adam Pearce and Karl Russell (2016); History of British Empire for Dummies - The United Kingdom, Between Unity and Division The United Kingdom, Between Unity And Division Space and Exchanges Over time, if a geographical place is settled by the same population, they may develop it into an actual country, with a common sense of belonging rather than feeling related more closely with other groups. [...]
[...] Since then, it has expanded to its nearest territories and formed a global empire from the 16th century to roughly the 1960s, culminating under Queen Victoria's reign. To forge such a project, a common identity had to be created: Englishness. In Rule Britannia, one of Britain's quintessential pieces, patriotism is at its pinnacle, stressing that no other nation measures up, that this thriving country is blessed by God and ordained to rule others who live under the yoke of tyrants. [...]
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