Every British colony became a democracy with bi-cameral legislatures, separation of the powers, presumption of innocence - can you imagine what Australia would be like had it been colonised by the French, the Spanish or the Dutch? It would be a corrupt shithole.
I agree about the French and the Spanish (also Portuguese and Belgians). But the Dutch weren't that much worse than the British.
One big issue Mises Institute stays away from is how different colonies had very different demographics (i.e. hereditary intelligence). Pakistan and Singapore are not on on an equal playing field...
Thanks for an excellent response. Will have a look. I get in a fizz about the Brits because I have pommy friends who apologise to me. Apologise! For British colonisation, when I'm grateful for that every day.
Every British colony became a democracy with bi-cameral legislatures, separation of the powers, presumption of innocence - can you imagine what Australia would be like had it been colonised by the French, the Spanish or the Dutch? It would be a corrupt shithole.
I agree about the French and the Spanish (also Portuguese and Belgians). But the Dutch weren't that much worse than the British.
One big issue Mises Institute stays away from is how different colonies had very different demographics (i.e. hereditary intelligence). Pakistan and Singapore are not on on an equal playing field...
Thanks for an excellent response. Will have a look. I get in a fizz about the Brits because I have pommy friends who apologise to me. Apologise! For British colonisation, when I'm grateful for that every day.