by Ray Burke

Created on: January 20, 2008

Great Britain's Place in the Modern World:

I believe that Britain is still a major player in world affairs today. There is much hand-wringing at such suggestions and uneasiness at expressing the pride we ought to in our country. Britain has been at the cross-roads of history for centuries and that will not end soon, acting today as a bridge between America, Eurasia and Africa. Britain has controversially dominated the pages of history, but there is no doubting that those past relationships have kept a majority of the world in touch with the departed nanny.

Britain's place in the world continues to be important, due mostly to the Anglosphere', those parts of the world that share the English language and culture, like America, Canada and Australia. The Anglosphere is old and new Britain with political, financial, military and social sway in their respective regions. The English language is spoken in almost all parts of the world and no matter which accent it is spoken in it is equated with England (and its former colony America), through the British Empire which spread the language through America, Africa, Asia and beyond.

Because of her past Empire and present Commonwealth, Britain has been host to thousands of immigrants from former colonies, but now sees migrants from non-Empire/Commonwealth countries in Eastern Europe and further afield in Russia and China. There are migrants from all kinds of cultural, economic and religious backgrounds, and out of all the countries in the world, Britain has a relatively stable multi-cultural society that is still one of the most tolerant places to live. This is not ignoring racial issues; there are darker sides to Britain, as in many countries, but that darker side is brighter than the brightest sides of some of the countries that immigrants have come from. Britain is one country that can boast such a diverse blend of peoples that work, live, and socialise together without undue disharmony.

Britain's place in Europe is also unique. As an island nation, Britain still has its isolationist approach to Europe. We are not part of Europe in the sense that we want total integration of policies and other aspects of life, while surrendering our own identity and sovereignty. Britain could retain its independence of European unions and act as a trans-Atlantic or even trans-Pacific bridge. Britain has done this for centuries and its ability to do that so far is a credit to Britain's standing in the world.

Britain also has a distinct role

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